Authorities are conducting an investigation following the discovery of a deceased man in a fire that occurred on Thursday morning in the western part of Saint John. The man, aged 59, was found by firefighters amidst their efforts to extinguish a fire at a three-story structure on Guilford Street. Chief Rob Nichol of the Saint John Fire Department mentioned that five firefighters sustained injuries during the firefighting operation. Emergency responders were alerted to the incident around 10:25 a.m., as reported by the Saint John police in a statement released on Friday.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense smoke and fire conditions, which Chief Nichol described as posing significant challenges due to weather conditions, the fire’s intensity, and the building’s balloon-frame construction. Although the fire was successfully contained by approximately 2 p.m., crews continued to work on the site to address any lingering hot spots. Chief Nichol confirmed that the building suffered extensive damage, rendering it uninhabitable. The exact number of individuals affected by the fire in the multi-unit structure remains unknown.
The Saint John police, provincial fire investigators, and the New Brunswick Coroner Services have initiated a collaborative investigation into the incident.