High winds ripped part of the roof off an apartment building in the south end of Saint John on Wednesday.
Emergency crews were called to Germain Street around 11:20 a.m., according to Platoon Chief Josh Hennessy of the Saint John Fire Department.
“Approximately half of the roof at 313 Germain had folded over and had actually impacted 305 Germain Street as well. A portion of that roof also went through an apartment at 36 St. James Street,” Hennessy said in an interview.
Hennessy said crews evacuated the two buildings and set up a perimeter in the area to keep people away.
A do-not-occupy order has been issued, he said, as the structure is considered unsafe given the roof is not secure.
The platoon chief said Saint John Transit brought a bus to the scene to give the tenants somewhere to go out of the weather.
“Five residential units were impacted, of which eight people have been displaced,” said Hennessy.
Those residents are receiving help from the Canadian Red Cross, he said.
No injuries were reported and there is no word on when they may be allowed to return home.
High winds tore off part of the roof of a Germain Street apartment building in uptown Saint John this morning.
Fire officials say 8 people from 5 apartments have been displaced for the time being. #nbstorm pic.twitter.com/wirSeS6cgG
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) January 10, 2024
