A four-storey apartment complex in Middle Sackville, N.S., has been severely damaged in an overnight fire.
The building on Hanwell Drive had 65 units and housed about 180 people, according to Jim Stymiest, assistant chief of operations at Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services.
No one was injured, according to Stymiest, and everyone is accounted for. He said the building is a “total loss.”
A fire investigator will try to determine the cause, but Stymiest said it appears the fire might have started on an exterior deck at the front of the building.
Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after midnight. Video posted to social media showed the building engulfed in flames.
Firefighters remained at the scene of the fire on Hanwell Drive. (Craig Paisley/CBC)
Stymiest said firefighters are still at the site putting out hot spots. All told, about 16 fire trucks and 65 firefighters were called to the scene.
One of the problems crews faced was too little water pressure, with the building located uphill from the nearest city fire hydrants, according to Stymiest.
Firefighters used “relay trucks” to try to boost the pressure. They tapped in to three fire hydrants, but all were on the same main line, Stymiest said.
“We did have a water volume issue, just could not seem to get enough water here,” he said.
Some pets were rescued and firefighters were searching for others.
Firefighters douse hot spots at the apartment building on Hanwell Drive. (Craig Paisley/CBC)
Steve Bussey, a district fire chief, said the top floor of the building is “largely gone,” with the three floors beneath suffering heavy water damage.
RCMP evacuated surrounding homes, however those residents have since been allowed back into the neighbourhood. Those who lived in the damaged building are not allowed to return to their apartments.
A news release from the municipality said an evacuation centre is open at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre, 266 Lakeview Ave., Middle Sackville, to help any residents impacted by the fire.