Bathurst fire considered suspicious by some in the community
Downtown blaze destroyed 2 buildings, damaged 2 others and left 50 people displaced
A fire in downtown Bathurst overnight that destroyed two businesses and damaged two nearby structures has many people wondering if it is related to a rash of vandalism in the city over the past month.
Firefighters were first called to the blaze at Main Street and King Avenue around midnight Friday. Several surrounding fire departments were called in throughout the night to assist in battling the fire, which was under control by about 7:30 a.m., according to Marc Robichaud, the city's deputy fire chief.
The flames demolished buildings that housed Birds Eye View pet store and Au Gourmet Cafe. The Christie's building will likely have to be torn down, officials say.
Prominent office space is also destroyed and people who live in apartments above the stores have lost everything.
No one was injured, says Robichaud.
"There was a fire we had about a week ago that was suspicious. We're not sure yet because of the extent of the fire," said Robichaud.
"This one here we don't know. It's still undetermined."
'Devastating news'
Mayor Stephen Brunet says the blaze "seems suspicious."
He called it a major blow to the community, especially just before the crucial Christmas season.
"The biggest thing is nobody was hurt, nobody was killed … No loss of life is the biggest plus about this bad-news story."
Lifelong Bathurst resident Paul Paulin says he first read about the fire on social media.
"I've seen this devastating fire. I heard awhile ago somebody said that it looked like it was suspicious but we'll have to wait to confirm it."
Two other buildings on King Avenue that had upper-level apartments that were also evacuated as a precaution but the structures were saved and tenants were later allowed to return home.
Bathurst MLA Brian Kenny owns the nearby King Apartments which had to be evacuated.
"It's devastating news for our area. It's devastating news for people who live in the building, devastating news for the people that own businesses here," said Kenny.
"I was here all night watching firemen and first responders dealing with this blaze. It was an amazing fire and we were worried it was going to spread to other buildings adjacent."
Red Cross office damaged
Lorne Daigle owns a neighbouring restaurant.
"It's another big hit. We're having hard times as it is and this is a big hit for us," said Daigle.
The Bathurst Canadian Red Cross office on Main Street was itself a casualty of the fire.
The office escaped fire damage "but received water and smoke damage and will be closed indefinitely, likely until a new location can be secured," spokesman Dan Bedell said in an email.
Meanwhile, Canadian Red Cross volunteers and staff from Bathurst and Fredericton have opened and equipped a reception centre and emergency shelter in the Paul Ouellette Room at the K.C. Irving Centre at 850 Saint Anne St., he said.
Tenants forced to leave their apartments can find emergency lodging, food, clothing and other essentials at the centre, he said. As of late Saturday, more than a dozen people had registered.
The community is already rallying to support tenants and business owners by bringing donations to the local arena.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.