Over 50 people have been left displaced after a large fire in a 40 unit apartment building on Gauvin Road in Dieppe.
The first broke out at around 11:30 last night, and flames and smoke could be seen coming from the building from kilometres away.
Dieppe Fire District Marc Cormier says it only took around 30 minutes to get it under control.
It is believed to have started on a fourth floor balcony, but it spread quickly.
“With today’s building constructions types, once the fire gets into the attic, it’s very difficult for firefighters to get the upper hand. As soon as it was able to reach the attic, there was a lot of very dry lumber due to construction,” Cormier says.
A large section of the roof and top level of the four storey apartment building is destroyed and there is significant smoke and water damage to the other floors.
“The fire damage is concentrated mostly on the fourth floor,” Cormier adds.
When firefighters arrived on scene, everyone had already exited the building, but Cormier says, a few pets had to be rescued and were then returned to their owners
“There were no injuries reported to us,” Cormier says.
He adds, “We knew that we were dealing with a lot of tenants, and we immediately activated Moncton Fire, Ambulance NB, RCMP and NB Power, and Codiac Transpo.”
The Canadian Red Cross spent most of the night arranging emergency lodging and food for the tenants.
Several have asked for additional support with clothing and other essential needs.
“We allowed tenants to go into the building escorted by firefighters to retrieve important documents, medication and other personal items, but it is going to be several days before the tenants can return. Once the investigation is concluded, we’ll turn the building over the owner and then from there the tenants can contact the company that manages the building,” Cormier says.
An investigation into a cause is underway.
(Photo: Courtesy of Wade Perry)
(Photo: Courtesy of Wade Perry)
(Photo: courtesy of Wade Perry)
(Photo: Courtesy of Code 3 News)
(Photo: Code 3 News)
