Tenants of an apartment complex in a New Brunswick First Nation community were burned out of their homes Tuesday night.
Flames engulfed the building in Woodstock First Nation around 8:30 p.m.
Firefighters focused hurried to protect nearby buildings, including a daycare.
The blaze was captured on video by NBCC Woodstock journalism student Brad Perry.
In the clip (below), fire chief Ricky Nicholson says it was “suspicious” and would be investigated.
“I would say with the events that occurred in the last couple of days,” Nicholson says, “it’s a very suspicious fire at this time.”
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Tenants had recently been told they would have to vacate the building by the end of April and the complex would be demolished.
The building has allegedly been the site of drug deals and elders wanted it torn down.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, RCMP took a man into custody after a pick-up truck crashed into one of the units causing significant damage. Hours later, police released a second man in connection with an alleged assault at the building.
Nicholson comments in the video people at the scene were “delighted” to see the building burn to the ground.
Fire officials are set to begin their investigations Wednesday morning.
NB Power had cut off electricity to the building following the truck crash, so the possibility of the blaze being an electrical fire has been ruled out, he says.
The nearby daycare sustained some damage to its siding because of the extreme heat.
*With files from Brad Perry and NBCC Journalism School
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