No injuries after a fire ripped through a multi-unit residential building under construction in Saint John’s north end.
Emergency crews were called to the two-storey building on Taylor Avenue just before 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Steve Voutour, a platoon chief with the Saint John Fire Department, said they could see heavy smoke even before arriving on the scene.
“When I arrived on scene, I found fire emanating from the roofline of the structure for the entirety of it. The building is probably 100 feet long,” Voutour said at the scene.
Because the building was still under construction, Voutour said no fire stops had been installed yet, allowing the fire to spread quickly.
Fire damaged a two-storey building under construction on Taylor Avenue in Saint John on March 16, 2022. (Image: Brad Perry)
Crews made quick work from above and were able to knock down the fire within about 20 minutes of their arrival, he said.
The building was still standing as of mid-morning, but the damage appeared to be quite extensive, with the roof completely gone from part of the building.
The project is being developed by Moncton-based VIVA Development. According to posts on its Facebook page, the company planned to have 12 two-bedroom units in the building.
A spokesperson said they are disheartened by the fire but declined to comment further pending the ongoing investigation.
In a news release late Wednesday afternoon, Saint John Police Force officials said its Major Crime Unit and the Saint John Fire Department have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.
People with information can pass it along to the Saint John Police Force at 1-506-648-3333, or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Fire has damaged a multi-unit building under construction in Saint John’s north end.
Platoon Chief Steve Voutour says they found heavy flames coming from the building on Taylor Avenue when they arrived just before 8 a.m. pic.twitter.com/G2NB9zyH1J
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) March 16, 2022
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