Blaze still under investigation

A fire inspector is still investigating the cause of a blaze that temporarily displaced five Charlottetown residents Saturday. Fire inspector Kent Mitchell was at the scene of the blaze on Sunday to investigate. Yellow tape remained blocking off the four-unit apartment on Sunday, while a security guard was also on scene.

“It’s undetermined at this point, so we’re still looking into it. We’ll be finishing up here today,” said Mitchell, adding that the cause would likely be released early this week.

Firefighters from Charlottetown Station 1 responded to the fire at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. No one was injured in the fire. “With the assistance of police, firefighters were able to evacuate the building,” said Charlottetown fire chief Randy MacDonald at the scene Saturday.

The building was a two-storey apartment located at 282/284 University Ave., across from Metro Credit Union.

Disaster volunteers with Canadian Red Cross were on the scene throughout the fire and arranged emergency lodging for a man and woman from two of the apartments and provided them, along with a woman and her adult son from a third apartment, with emergency purchases of clothing, food, personal care kits and blankets. A Red Cross spokesperson said a woman who lives in the fourth apartment made her own arrangements for a place to stay. Firefighters had battled through freezing temperatures to fight the fire, while a number of onlookers watched from inside their vehicles parked in the Metro Credit Union parking lot.

Traffic was also redirected from the busy avenue as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Charlottetown’s Station 2 department provided backup, sending a crew and pumper to the scene while also sending another crew and pumper to Station 1. The fire appeared to be largely confined to the top floor. MacDonald said on Saturday it was unclear if the apartment would be a total loss, noting serious damage to the building’s roof.