DIEPPE, NB – A fire in Dieppe that claimed the life of a young paramedic started in the kitchen, fire officials have ruled.
The fire happened at a duplex on Charline Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Fire officials say they believe the fire was due to cooking.
The fire trapped two men on the second floor of the duplex.
Dieppe Fire Chief Charles LeBlanc says one male called 911, but when they arrived on scene, both were found unresponsive.
They were immediately taken by ambulance to hospital, where one was confirmed dead and the other remains in critical condition.
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Ambulance New Brunswick has confirmed the deceased was Mike Harborne, a paramedic who was off-duty at the time.
“He was a good paramedic, he really loved his job. A very passionate paramedic and loved his family equally. He was just a good guy and it certainly showed through his work,” said Craig Pierre, Regional Manager East for Ambulance New Brunswick.
Paramedics across New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are being encouraged to wear black ribbons in memory of Harborne.
“It’s been a tough year for us. This isn’t our first paramedic that we’ve lost, it’s never easy. But it makes you realize that you’re human and we do rise to the call,” Pierre said.
Both victims were in their late twenties, according to LeBlanc.
He said the fire was a challenging one.
“The rest of the house has suffered heavy, heavy smoke and heat damage, that causes a lot of problems because we can’t see where we’re going so we’re basically going through the house by feeling and touching,” LeBlanc said.
A firefighter also suffered a broken leg in the fire.
A family of seven who lived in the adjoining unit are being assisted by the Red Cross.
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