Halifax Fire services respond to large blaze in Fall River, N.S.

Halifax Fire crews are responding to a large structure in Fall River on Sutherland Drive.

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Dave Meldrum, Fire Division Chief,told Global News that firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 12:00 p.m.

“On arrival they discovered a home heavily evolved in fire,” he said. “We had defensive fire conditions, which means we are going to attack this fire from the outside.”

The roof of the building has collapsed after the firefighters said the fire had spread throughout the house. Officials say the home is extensively damaged and will require replacement.

“I’m happy to announce that there were no injuries here today to any residents or any firefighters. We were assured by residents that there was no one in the home at the time of the fire,” said Meldrum.

The neighbourhood has no fire hydrants which has made it difficult for the firefighters to do their work.

“We got three engines and four tankers here now,” Meldrum said. “The tankers are the units that go to the lake, draw the water and bring it here.”

Firefighters are working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading while Halifax Regional Police currently have Sutherland Drive blocked to traffic.

At one point live ammunition was reportedly going off inside the structure.

“We understand that there was a small amount of ammunition in the home, generally not considered dangerous for firefighters in the defensive strategy as they are here today,” said Meldrum.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

– With files from Natasha Pace