Fire in Saint John's north end forces road closures for most of day

Firefighters in Saint John battled a house fire in the north end of the city early Thursday morning.

Platoon Chief Barry Oickle of the Saint John Fire Department said firefighters were dispatched to a house at 177 Main St. shortly after 4 a.m.

Oickle said heavy flames and smoke were coming from the second floor of a three-storey building. The fire eventually spread and heavy flames could be seen from the roof of the building.

"The roof has basically been burned off," he said.

Oickle said no one was inside the building when the fire broke out, and no one was injured.

Acting Sgt. Sarah Hobbs of the Saint John Police Force said the house is under renovation.

Just before 10:30 a.m., the fire was under control, Oickle​ said

"We're trying our best to put out the hot spots," he said. "The building is not safe."

The building next door was evacuated after the power was cut.

Police asked drivers to stay away from areas near Main and Elgin Street and Metcalf and Elgin. The roads aren't expected to open until Thursday evening.

Fire crews were still at the fire.