‘A total loss’: Home of family of seven destroyed by fire north of Moncton

A fire destroyed a home north of Moncton on Monday.

A family of seven is homeless after fire destroyed a one-storey house just north of Moncton.

Dozens of firefighters from Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview were called to the structure fire 10 minutes north of Moncton early Monday afternoon.

Moncton Fire Department acting Platoon Chief Jamie Rooney said the building in the Stilesville area was a “total loss.”

“When we arrived the house was fully involved, front to back, and we were told from the owner who was on site that everybody was out,” said Rooney.

Rooney said firefighters tried to enter the home but were pushed out quickly because conditions deteriorated fast.

“We had a collapse of the first floor into the basement,” said Rooney.

Kevin Renton lives across the street, but wasn’t sure what happened.

“I heard the sirens coming, looked out the window and saw the house on fire,” said Renton.

Renton said a family of seven lives in the rural home, but no one was inside at the time of the fire.

“Everyone’s OK,” said Renton. “It’s a shock, especially when you’ve got good neighbours like this and they’re from Syria, the best people you can have for neighbours.”

Rooney said there are no fire hydrants in the area so mutual aid from Dieppe and Riverview was needed.

“We have to shuttle our water in so we had Dieppe and Riverview both come in to assist with water shuttle operations,” said Rooney.

The fire was under control by mid afternoon and the cause is under investigation.

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