Dozens of people are displaced following a significant apartment building fire in Shediac, N.B. Pictures and video posted to social media show large flames and smoke coming from the building on the corner of Cornwall and Scovil roads near Canadian Tire early Thursday morning. Deputy fire chief Julien Boudreau said crews were dispatched at 4:15 a.m. to a reported outside fire. Within about two minutes, the call was upgraded to a full structure fire. About 50 firefighters responded to the scene from six stations in surrounding communities. “On arrival here the entire backside of the building was fully engulfed,” Boudreau said. He added the building’s size and early fire involvement in the roof made it difficult for crews to get inside to fight the flames. Sea Breeze Properties said in a statement that the building, which was completed in 2023, is now destroyed. There were 36 units inside the building and the fire department estimates about 50 people are displaced. Residents escape All residents were able to get out of the building safely. They credit the building’s superintendent with alerting them to the fire. Owner Vic Shaw says the superintendent lived in the building and began pounding on doors when the alarm sounded, telling people to get out. He says he is happy that all of his tenants got out safely. One resident initially thought it was a false alarm, until he looked outside. “Then you look out the window and all you see is orange,” he said. The man escaped with his phone, wallet, keys and cat, along with his girlfriend. They had lived in the building for two years and are staying with relatives. “I’ve lost everything else,” he said. Another resident said she escaped without her phone. She described seeing a large fire once outside, with children crying and residents shaking. “It was quick, it was so fast,” she said. “We were just shaking and we didn’t say anything … just praying.” The woman has friends to stay with, but said she lost everything else and is still in shock. Moncton’s Codiac Transpo transported displaced residents to the town’s multipurpose centre, where the town set up supports. Sea Breeze Properties says it is working with the Canadian Red Cross to arrange temporary housing. The Vestiaire St-Joseph Inc. food bank is also accepting monetary donations, which will be used to buy grocery gift cards to help those displaced. Town warns of discoloured water The town says residents in the area may notice water discolouration due to the large amount used by the fire department. “If you notice discoloration in your drinking water, please be assured that this is completely normal and poses no health risk. We recommend letting cold water run into the bathtub for 10 to 15 minutes to clear the discoloration,” reads a post social media. Mayor Patricia Bourque-Chevarie says the town will help residents through the aftermath. “My heart goes out to those families and we’re going to be there if there’s something we can help with,” she said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
