UPDATE (9:30 a.m.): One person is dead and an investigation is now underway after a devastating apartment fire in downtown Bridgewater.
Police say as of 11 p.m., Wednesday, the fire was cleared and the scene turned over to police. Roads in the area remain closed.
The victim is believed to be a resident who wasn’t accounted for during the initial evacuation.
One person is missing and an apartment building is destroyed as dozens of crews remain on scene downtown Bridgewater fighting an apartment fire.
As of 7 p.m., Wednesday, Mayor David Mitchell said the Red Cross is working with those who lost their home to find accommodations.
“I want to thank our first responders for their hard work and tremendous dedication to this community,” said Mitchell in a Facebook post.
He said up to 15 departments were on site or covering for others.
“Days like today are difficult and exhausting and these men and women are impacted greatly by the tragedy and loss.”
As of 4 p.m., Deputy Chief Danny MacPhee told Acadia News, crews are trying to find the person unaccounted for.
However, no fatalities or injuries have been reported.
MacPhee said the call came in the early afternoon as smoke blanketed the area, shutting down a section of King Street.
He said the building was “fully engulfed” with flames that moved to the residence next door and vehicle.
“We evacuated almost immediately,” said MacPhee. “I know one person was in one of the units when I arrived.”
According to MacPhee, there is no indication that the fire was criminal in nature, and the cause is currently unknown.
Bridgewater Police said as the fire remains active, crews are applying water to a nearby third building to prevent spread.
Road closures remain in effect and are expected to remain shut down for at least 24 hours:
- King Street from Dufferin Street to Crescent Street
- Maple Street from King Street to Prince Street
Transit will also be detoured temporarily:
King Street to Dominion, Dominion to Pleasant, Pleasant to Dufferin, Dufferin to St. Andrews before rejoining the regular route on Maple Street.
We will have more information as it comes in.
