McMaster student charged after campus fire breaks out

Amarah Hasham-Steele
January 30, 2023
Est. Reading Time: 2 minutes

After a fire in Bates Residence, a McMaster student was charged with arson-disregard for human life

On Jan. 28 at around 2:00 p.m., a small fire broke out at McMaster University's Bates Residence in a third-floor apartment.

The fire was contained to one suite, but the entire building was evacuated as a precaution. No injuries have been reported, and the building was able to safely reopen only a few hours later.  

The fire was contained to one suite, but the entire building was evacuated as a precaution. No injuries have been reported, and the building was able to safely reopen only a few hours later.  

Amarah Hasham-Steele, News Editor

“On scene, police and partners located the unit on fire, which was extinguished, and no injuries were suffered,” said Hamilton Police Services, in a media release, issued on Jan. 29.  

While the fire was contained within the four-bedroom suite in which it started, three nearby rooms also suffered smoke and water damage, forcing their occupants to temporarily relocate. A total of eight students were impacted by the fire.  

While the fire was contained within the four-bedroom suite in which it started, three nearby rooms also suffered smoke and water damage, forcing their occupants to temporarily relocate. A total of eight students were impacted by the fire.  

Amarah Hasham-Steele, News Editor

HPS stated in their release that 20-year-old Ruomu Ba had been charged with arson — disregard for human life.  

The HPS release also asked members of the public to contact Detective Sergeant Lockley by calling 905-546-3833, if they have any information about the case.  

McMaster University released two statements about the fire on Daily News. The first, released on Jan. 28, informed students of the fire and that it had been safely extinguished. The second, released on Jan. 29, informed students that charged had been laid.  

Author

  • Amarah is in her fourth year of the Arts and Science program, pursuing a combination in English and Cultural Studies. She is thrilled to be the Arts and Culture Editor this year, after working as the News Editor during the 2022-2023 school year. When she's not editing articles, she can be found updating her Goodreads profile and drinking matcha lattes.

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