Fatal house fires in New Brunswick prompt renewed warnings from officials

Fire fatalities in Fredericton and Bathurst have prompted warnings from fire officials.

Two fatal house fires in New Brunswick over the holidays are prompting renewed warnings from fire officials.

Crews were called to fatal residential fires in Bathurst and Fredericton during the Christmas period. The causes of both fires are still under investigation.

In Bathurst, firefighters responded to a call late on Boxing Day to find a home fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, a man’s body, along with two dogs, was discovered inside the residence.

On Dec. 23 in Fredericton, crews responding to a residential fire were able to remove a trapped occupant from the home. That person later died in hospital.

Scott Poupart, president of the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs, says there are several reasons why fires spread more quickly today than they did decades ago.

Poupart says modern building materials burn faster and release far more toxic gases, making fires deadlier in a shorter amount of time.

“Years ago, you had five, six, seven, eight minutes to get out of a house fire,” Poupart said. “Now it’s down to three to five minutes, max. And, usually, it’s not the fire itself that causes fatalities — it’s the gas,” he said.

Fire officials also say many people underestimate the strain holiday decorations place on electrical systems. Poupart says homes are often overloaded with lights, extension cords, power bars, and decorations running for long periods of time.

Another growing concern, he says, is the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries — now common in children’s toys, sporting goods, and household devices.

“The amount of appliances and toys — sometimes the chargers or the batteries are not approved,” Poupart said, adding that third-party or non-certified batteries can pose a serious fire risk.

In the days leading up to Christmas, firefighters in Memramcook took those warnings directly to the community. Members of the Memramcook Fire Department spoke with families during a free public skate on Christmas Eve, reminding residents about common holiday fire hazards.

Firefighter Kevin Shea urged residents to keep real Christmas trees well watered, fully extinguish candles before going to bed, turn off decorative lights overnight, and stay in the kitchen while cooking — especially when preparing large holiday meals.

Poupart says the impact of fatal fires doesn’t end when crews leave the scene, noting the emotional toll these incidents can take on firefighters, particularly during the holidays.

“Their mental health is very hard on our members as well,” he said. “So, we count on the public to do their part in fire prevention.”

While investigations into the recent fatal fires continue, fire officials say they hope the losses serve as a reminder that small changes at home can help protect families — and the firefighters who respond when things go wrong.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.