A chaotic scene, that how Moncton Fire Platoon Chief Brian McDonald described arriving at Cameron and Dufferin Streets overnight.
There were reports called in at around 2 am Sunday of fires in two to three homes with people trapped inside
“When we arrived, we found two homes on fire and two people trapped on the third floor due to too much fire,” McDonald told our newsroom.
An extension ladder was used to rescue the two individuals who were then treated by paramedics at the scene. There’s no word on the extent of their injuries.
Five fire stations with around 21 firefighters responded to the scene to assist.
It’s believed the fire started at the back of one of the homes and then spread to the attics of both residences.
“Attic fires are very difficult to fight, and these are larger, older homes. One had been converted into seven apartments, making it a very difficult fire to fight, “McDonald said.
Firefighters were on the scene for around six hours. McDonald says it took around two hours to extinguish the flames, and they remained until all of the hot spots were out.
RCMP, Ambulance NB and NB Power were also on scene.
McDonald says both buildings are seriously damaged.
Several families and individuals have been displaced, but McDonald was unsure of the exact number.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal and RCMP.
We spoke to McDonald on Sunday morning, and he said it had already been a busy weekend including a garage, dumpster and house fires.
