Large fire damages 10 homes in 'various stages of construction' at new Oakville subdivision

Ten homes under construction were damaged in a massive fire in Oakville late Wednesday morning, says the town's fire department.

The fire broke out shortly before noon on Wednesday in a new subdivision near Dundas Street East, just west of Highway 403.

A large plume of thick, black smoke could be seen in the air above the scene.

Oakville Fire Department quickly responded and contained multiple structure fires at homes in “various stages of construction.”

Speaking to the media at the scene, Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys said crews did an “aggressive attack” and “managed to stop the fire from continuing.”

He called the blaze “wind driven.”

Halton Police’s Oakville Division told CP24 that around 11:40 a.m. they received a call for a large fire in a new development at Dundas Street East and William Cutmore Boulevard.

No injuries have been reported.

Construction worker Gregory Miller shot a video of the fire seconds after he and four other co-workers escaped from one of the affected houses.

Miller told CTV News Toronto that he was working on the main floor when he spotted flames near a window.

“I have never experienced anything like this before and it is really a shaking experience,” he said.

“We’re shaken up because we were so close. … Anything could have happened.”

The Fire Marshall has since been called in. Investigators from the local fire department will also be involved in the investigation, Boys said.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.