More than a dozen people are temporarily homeless and one pet is dead after a fire at an apartment building in Moncton.
The Moncton Fire Department responded to the three-storey, 12-unit building on MacAleese Lane around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
Deputy Fire Chief Charles LeBlanc says crews were able to get the fire under control quickly and all 14 tenants made it out of the building safely, although some were jumping out of windows to escape the flames.
“As our first firefighters arrived on scene, evacuation was already taking place with the occupants removing themselves from the building,” says Leblanc. “Some of our first responding officers noticed certain occupants jumping out of the windows on the second level.”
One dog died in the fire and the building sustained extensive smoke and water damage.
Two tenants were taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Others were checked at the scene by paramedics.
The Canadian Red Cross says most tenants have found a place to stay as they likely won’t be able to return to their apartments for some time to allow for cleanup and repairs.
Meanwhile, the organization is helping at least one tenant find emergency lodging, food and clothing.
There is no word on a cause but investigators believe the fire started in the basement.
