A fire caused extensive damage to a seven-unit apartment building in Saint John’s north end Friday, according to fire officials.
Platoon Chief Kevin Comeau said emergency crews were called to the three-storey building on First Street around 6:40 p.m.
Comeau, who was first on the scene, said he saw smoke coming from the rear of the building and flames from a side window.
“Crews were quick to attack and knock down what we initially thought was the bulk of the fire,” Comeau said in a phone interview.
But Comeau said firefighters soon discovered that flames had also spread into the walls of the building and extended up to the roof.
“We spent another, probably close to an hour and a half extinguishing that and the rest of the extension,” he said.
Smoke and occasional flames could still be seen coming from the building shortly before 8 p.m.
More than half a dozen fire vehicles are on the scene, along with police and Ambulance NB. pic.twitter.com/A3ga1YNH4b
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) April 23, 2021
At least six fire vehicles were on the scene along with members of the Saint John Police Force, Ambulance New Brunswick and Saint John Energy.
Everyone was safely out of the building by the time firefighters arrived, said Comeau, but two firefighters were treated on scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
The Canadian Red Cross says at least eight tenants were displaced by the fire. Volunteers arranged emergency lodging and meals for four adults on Friday night but the other four left before they arrived.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but Comeau said it does not appear to be suspicious at this time.
He said fire crews remained at the scene for a little more than four hours.
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