Man, 49, charged in connection with Queen Street fire: Fredericton police
A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fire in Fredericton earlier this week.
The Fredericton Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from a commercial building in the 200 block of Queen Street around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Police say firefighters saw smoke billowing from several areas of 228 Queen St., which is home to Mactavish's Source for Sports.
“As soon as I got to the Westmorland Bridge to come across, you could see the smoke and stuff behind the apartments,” said store owner Maggie MacTavish.
Owner Maggie MacTavish is pictured standing in front of her store Mactavish's Source for Sports on Oct. 31, 2024. (Source: Avery MacRae/CTVNews)
“So I kind of knew what was going to happen I guess… On the outside it appears OK where it’s stone, but there is nothing left inside.”
It took over two-and-a-half hours for 20 firefighters to get the fire under control.
“The front of the building, just to my knowledge, did not sustain fire damage, but lots of smoke damage,” said Asst. Deputy Chief David McKinley, with the Fredericton Fire Department.
“The back part of the building, which is an important part of the business being the storage area, did have fire damage there.”
No injuries were reported.
Mactavish's Source for Sports in Fredericton is pictured after a fire on Oct. 31, 2024. (Avery MacRae/CTV Atlantic)
Man arrested
Police said they arrested 49-year-old Joshua Burden in connection with the fire on Wednesday.
In an email to CTV News on Thursday, police confirmed Burden appeared in court and was charged with:
- arson with disregard for human life
- breach of probation
According to the Fredericton Police Force, Burden will remain in custody until a further court hearing.
Community support
Fredericton resident Kay Simonds says Mactavish's Source for Sports is part of what makes Fredericton a family community.
“I grieve for the owners, but I grieve for the community of Fredericton as a whole,” said Simonds.
MacTavish says it’s too early to determine how much was lost and what the cost will be, but is comforted by the support of the community.
“I don’t think people probably realize how much it helps, even just a little comment on Facebook,” she said.
MacTavish is hopeful she will be able to find a temporary location to set up shop, with a goal of one day reopening the storefront that has served customers for over half a century.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
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