Fire destroys Minto's only grocery store

Minto's only grocery burned to the ground Monday in the latest blow to the central New Brunswick village.

The red-lettered Foodland sign lay on the pavement under a cloud of smoke after firefightersfrom Minto, Douglas Harbour,Chipman,Oromoctoand Fredericton were unable to save the store.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

No one was hurt, but Mayor DonaldGouldcalled it "a devastating day" for the village, about50 kilometresnortheast of Fredericton.

The firestartedat about 6:50 a.m., before the doors opened for business, and the entire building was in flames by 8:30 a.m., witnesses said.

Small explosions and "popping"from various productscould be heard coming from inside the buildingas eight crews fought he blaze.

It's really sad to take a look at it now. There's really nothing left to it, just a pile of scrap.- Mayor Donald Gould

"The building appears to be destroyed," resident Alton Morrell said at mid-morning.

EMO official JasonCooling said the fire was under control as of noon, but there was a concern about possible smoke inhalation for peoplenearby.

Some residents wereevacuated from their homes because of the smoke, but they were later allowed to return.

Main Street, where the store was located, remainedclosed Monday evening but was expected to open later in Monday night.

Fire destroys Minto Foodland

7 years ago

Duration 0:39

Minto's only grocery story erupted in flames Monday morning and was soon destroyed, its red Foodland sign lying on the ground under a cloud of smoke.

About 40 people worked at the store, and many were outside the building, upset, as the fire raged.

The community has already suffered large economic hits in recent years.NB Power pulled its operations out of the areain 2009, and the village'sfibreglass plant, RPS Composites, closedin March of this year.

Mayor Gould, after speaking with Foodland owner Richard Veenhuis, saidSobeysrepresentatives were on their way from Nova Scotia to assess the situation.

Gould said the village council also held an emergency meeting.

"We're looking at ways of ensuring that the other corner stores and convenience stores in the community are stocked up on the main staples that people need," he said.

Volunteers are co-ordinating tohelp those without transportationget to nearby grocery stores in Chipman.

EMO on Minto Foodland fire.

7 years ago

Duration 0:56

Jason Cooling from Emergency Measures Organization updates CBC on the status of the fire at the Foodland in Minto, N.B.

Gouldsaid he happened to follow a fire truck from Oromoctoto the scene. As he got closer, the black clouds of smoke were high above the trees. Itwas"unbelievable," he said.

"It's a real central part of our town, rightbeside the bank, and it's really sad to take a look at it now. There's really nothing left to it, just a pile of scrap.

Luckily, firefighters were able to salvage the muralmounted on the side of the building by Fredericton artist Ron Sajack, illustrating Minto'scoal-mining history.

Surrounding buildings, including the Scotiabank, sustained littledamage, some siding on an abandoned house melted.

Karlie Babineau, whosehusband managedthe store's meat department, said it was a huge loss, in the wake of other losses.

"It's the only place the locals have to shop," she said. "I worry for the people that have no transportation.

"Minto has already [had]so much loss. Now this."

The RCMP asked residents to stay away from the area to allow emergency crews to work.

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