One man is dead, and several others have been displaced after a New Year’s Day fire on Saint John’s Lower West Side.
Saint John Fire Rob Chief Nichol says crews found heavy smoke and fire in the Guilford Street residence when they arrived at around 10:20 am on January 1.
Work to extinguish the fire began immediately, and a search of the building was conducted.
Saint John Police say a 59-year-old man was found deceased inside.
All on-duty fire crews were deployed to the scene, and additional firefighters were called in to assist.
The fire was brought under control at around 2 pm, but firefighters remained on scene to put out hot spots.
Chief Nichol added that it was a challenging fire due to winter weather conditions, the volume of fire upon arrival and because it was an older structure with balloon frame construction.
The Saint John Police Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Services, and New Brunswick Coroner Services were called to the scene to investigate.
Provincial fire investigators, at the request of the Saint John Fire Department, are investigating the cause of the fire jointly with the Saint John Police.
