TORONTO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A fire that ripped through several homes in Hamilton, Canada, killed three people and injured seven others, emergency officials said Saturday.

Hamilton firefighters said the fire tore through a house near the city's industrial waterfront early on Saturday morning and spread to two adjacent homes.

Once flames were doused, firefighters located the bodies of three people inside. Their ages, gender and identities were not released.

The fire department said the homes had 11 occupants at the time of the blaze. Seven people were taken to hospital with unknown injuries. One person was unhurt.

Damage is estimated at 200,000 Canadian dollars (152,000 U.S. dollars) at 70 Niagara St., where the fire started.

The Ontario fire marshal has been notified and arrived at the scene. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

Hamilton is a port city located in between Toronto and Niagara Falls and is home to McMaster University.