Smoke Reported in Uptown High-Rise

If you were in Uptown Saint John shortly after 6 p.m. last night, you likely noticed a significant emergency response on King Street. Saint John Firefighters responded to a multi-unit high-rise building following reports of a routine fire alarm. However, the situation escalated quickly.

Upon arrival, on-site staff greeted the first crew and reported smoke on the upper floors of the building. With the cause unknown and smoke visible, command upgraded the call to a reported structure fire.

Quick Action Isolates the Issue

Crews immediately went to work evacuating the building and searching different areas to locate the origin of the smoke. Firefighters eventually tracked the source to one of the building’s utility rooms.

Once they isolated the problem and cleared the smoke from the facility, command downgraded the call. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of properly functioning fire alarm systems in high-density housing.

Staffing Levels vs. National Standards

While the situation ended safely, the Saint John Firefighters Association used the incident to draw attention to resource allocation in the city. The second alarm brought 20 Saint John firefighters to the scene to manage the evacuation and search.

According to the association, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety standards recommend 43 firefighters respond to reported fires in high-rise and high-risk occupancies. This gap highlights the challenges crews face when operating simultaneously to bring incidents in large structures under control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the incident take place?
The fire alarm and subsequent smoke report occurred at a multi-unit high-rise building on King Street in Uptown Saint John.

Was there an actual fire?
Firefighters located the source of the smoke in a utility room. They isolated the issue and cleared the smoke, allowing them to downgrade the call quickly.

Why is the number of firefighters significant?
The Saint John Firefighters Association highlights that while 20 firefighters responded, national safety standards recommend 43 personnel for high-rise fires to ensure safety and efficiency.