An early morning fire caused extensive damage to the historic Barbour’s General Store in uptown Saint John.
Firefighters were called to the museum and tourist hub at the foot of King Street just after 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Platoon Chief Josh Hennessy said crews were met with heavy smoke and fire coming from the building.
“It was an incredibly challenging fire for us,” Hennessy said in an interview from the scene, noting the cold temperatures and the building’s older construction.
“As well, on the back end of this structure, we do have critical infrastructure for Saint John Energy in the form of a substation, so that was obviously a risk for us and we had to work with them to make sure that infrastructure was protected.”
Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, said Hennessy — one due to exhaustion, the other with a minor cut.
He said seven crews were called to the scene and spent about two hours bringing the fire under control.
“The actual structural integrity is sound,” said Hennessy. “There’s a lot of antiques inside that are certainly going to be salvageable. But in terms of structural integrity, we’re not concerned about a collapse or anything like that.”
In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the Saint John Police Force said the preliminary investigation suggests the fire was set.
“However, further investigation is ongoing to determine if the fire was set intentionally or accidentally,” said the release.
The store itself was originally built in 1860 and served as a rural general store in Sheffield, near Fredericton, until 1940.
G.E. Barbour Co. purchased the building in 1967 as they looked to celebrate 100 years in business.
It was put on a barge and floated down the river to Saint John, where it opened as a museum.
The president of G.E. Barbour Inc., which owns the building, said she was “heartbroken” to learn of the fire.
Sylvia MacVey said she is waiting to hear about the extent of the damage. She said some items were being stored there.
“There are some artifacts in the building, but not a lot,” MacVey said.
MacVey describes the general store as a pet project of her grandfather’s.
“This was his vision and his gift to the city. I am just heartbroken about the entire thing,” MacVey said.
In terms of rebuilding, MacVey said she can’t answer because she hasn’t yet spoken to authorities.
City spokesperson Nathalie Logan said the city maintains the property year-round, and it is operated as a tourist bureau with staff hired by Envision Saint John.
Logan said the building is insured within the city’s fire insurance.
With files from Brad Perry and Tamara Steele.
An early morning fire has damaged Barbour’s General Store in uptown Saint John.
Fire crews were called after 3 a.m. and spent about two hours bringing the blaze under control.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/46u0f7c11v
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) January 25, 2022
