Residents in north-end Saint John say they are on high alert following a pair of suspicious fires at vacant buildings on the same block.
Fire crews were called to Victoria Street two times over the past week to put out fires at the abandoned buildings.
"This is the most in one short period of time in the past couple of years," says Sgt. Chuck Algee, spokesperson for Saint John police.
Firefighters were able to stop the fires from spreading, but local residents say they’re still concerning.
"Is it going to happen again? I don't know,” says resident Sean Duffy. “There has been a stepped up police presence around here now."
Several buildings in Saint John’s north end have remained vacant for years. They’ve been slowly deteriorating and becoming an eyesore for many.
“Somebody can just come along and set fire to them, and it’s so dangerous for the people living in the area," says Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary.
Earlier this year, the city set a target of 85 buildings to be either demolished or restored by the end of 2017. So far, 55 cases have been resolved.
It's a process McAlary says is slow, frustrating and costly.
“We can't move fast enough. There is a procedure that we have to go through. We do not own the buildings, therefore we have to contact the owner. Sometimes that takes time. Sometimes we have to allow the owner to fix the building up if they wish to do so,” says McAlary.
The city is currently monitoring 200 vacant buildings, including some on Victoria Street. For now, police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity in the area.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mary Cranston.
