An early-morning fire at Hamilton’s Christie Lake Conservation Area forced the temporary closure of YMCA Camp Chippewa after hundreds of campers were evacuated from the site.
Emergency crews responded to the conservation area on Highway 5 in Flamborough around 7 a.m. Wednesday. Officials confirmed all 249 campers and staff were safely transported off the property by bus, with no injuries reported.
Hamilton police said the Beach Pavilion had already collapsed and was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, while the Lakeside Pavilion was also burning and partially collapsed. Investigators also found evidence of an attempted fire at a third building, the Marine Pavilion.
Police believe the fire was intentionally set and estimate the damage to the destroyed structures at between $4 million and $5 million. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.