Commercial building gutted after early morning fire in Campbellton

An early morning fire gutted a building on Water Street in downtown Campbellton on Wednesday.

Firefighters were dispatched to the former Pik-Quick convenience store at 46 Water St. after the building's alarm went off.

Stacy Kozak of the Campbellton Fire Department told Radio-Canada that when firefighters arrived, the building was in flames.

The department focused on saving nearby structures.

Kozak said one firefighter had to be treated for heat-stroke-like symptoms.

Ian Comeau was driving across the J.C. Van Horne Bridge, when he spotted black smoke coming from the downtown before 6 a.m.

"I knew that it wasn't fog, so I decided to go right to the scene … there it was, at the old Pik-Quick building. … It was completely engulfed with flames."

The Pik-Quick was no longer operating, but the building was being used as a lounge and tanning salon.

Comeau, who was a volunteer firefighter for 26 years in the northern New Brunswick city, said a number of firefighters were on scene during the early morning blaze.

"It's a quiet morning here," he said. "There's no wind, so I'm sure that the fire department is happy about that."

Kozak said the department was short on firefighters and sought help from the neighbouring Atholville Fire Department.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but an investigation has been opened.