A string of fires in Saint John, N.B. has residents upset about the growing number of vacant and abandoned buildings in the city. Officials say they were set deliberately and the fire department is demanding that owners do more to secure the buildings before another major fire erupts.
One of the city's most recent fires began in a vacant building in the city's north end on Friday and residents who live in a housing co-op next to the building were evacuated.
"We have people who are afraid to go to sleep at night because of what is next door to them," says Kit Hickey, a spokesperson with Saint John Housing Alternatives.
Hickey says many Saint John residents who live next to vacant buildings are worried because of the potential for fire.
Another case of alleged arson occurred on April 25 and destroyed half of a city block in uptown Saint John.
"This is a major health and safety issue for neighbourhoods," says South end resident Carl Trickey. "There has been a lot of fires in derelict buildings and that places, not only properties at risk and adjoining properties at risk, but it risks the lives of people who live in those adjoining properties."
The Saint John Fire Department keeps track of vacant buildings around the city. In its most recent survey, it found nearly 100 vacant and abandoned buildings within the city limits.
"They're a haven for the criminal element or children just looking for a place to hang out," says Divisional Fire Chief Mark Wilson. "So we arrive on the scene, there's smoke showing or the place is on fire, we still have to do our due diligence and search the property."
In light of recent incidents, the Saint John Fire Department wants building owners to take extra steps to secure their properties, though some say that is easier said than done.
"That building had been boarded up," says Hickey of last week's arson case. "It was an abandoned building and from all reports, it would have been considered a secure building."
Now there are growing concerns the number of problem buildings may increase, as an inspection program aimed at reducing the number of abandoned buildings recently became the victim of municipal budget cuts.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
