A minister responsible for 12 homes that were destroyed in a dramatic blaze announced she has no concerns about the buildings not being up to code.
At about 6pm on Monday (June 26) a fire broke out in the Mundy Pond area of St John’s. Three townhouse-style buildings with four apartments each were completely gutted by the blaze, leaving 35 people from 13 separate families displaced from their homes, according to reports by CBC News.
Firefighters’ efforts to control the incident in Froude Avenue were supposedly hampered by water supply issues. Crews from the St. John’s Regional Fire Department struggled to get access to enough water, due to a loop issue in the city, where hydrants suck water from others in the area when in use.
Sherry Gambin-Walsh, the minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, which owns the buildings, said her top priority is with the displaced tenants.
“It’s a busy day but the number one priority today is the tenants that are displaced,” she told the St John’s Morning Show. “It was quite the scene and people are in shock this morning waking up and realizing they have nothing left.”
All the residents who were forced out of their homes by the fire have now been placed in hotels or are seeking refuge with nearby family and friends.
The minister added she has no concerns about the buildings in question not being up to code, as they have been subject to routine inspections. Gambin-Walsh said she will wait for an official report on the water pressure issue before commenting further.
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