AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Early Morning Apartment Fire Forces Mass Evacuation in Shediac
An apartment building on Cornwall Road in Shediac was left charred and still smoking several hours after a fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, displacing all residents of the 36-unit structure. The incident affected approximately 72 tenants, according to the building’s owner.
Rapid Tenant Evacuation Led by Superintendent
Erica Nan Hepditch, the building’s in-house superintendent, played a crucial role in alerting residents and leading them outside to safety. Hepditch, who lives on the second floor, recounted waking up around 4 a.m. to banging on her door and a tenant warning of the fire. Acting quickly, she ran up and down the stairs, knocking on doors and telling everyone to evacuate as smoke began to fill the building. "These are my people," Hepditch said, adding that the community in the building felt like family to her.
No Reported Injuries, Pets Lost in the Blaze
According to Sea Breeze Properties, the owner of the building at 25 Cornwall Rd., no injuries have been reported among the tenants. However, Hepditch and some other residents lost their cats in the fire, with Hepditch noting that her own cat hid and could not be rescued in time.
Firefighter Response and Current Investigations
Julien Boudreau, deputy fire chief with the Shediac Fire Department, said that firefighters were initially dispatched at 4:15 a.m. for what was believed to be an outdoor fire, but the call was quickly upgraded to a full structure fire. Fire crews from Shediac, Cap-Acadie, Dieppe, and Beausoleil responded. Upon arrival, they found the entire back and the roof of the building in flames. The third floor of the building was completely destroyed, and firefighters had difficulty accessing some parts due to the building's size.
The fire is currently under investigation, and the fire marshal’s office was on site Thursday morning. Boudreau stated, "At this point, we have no idea what caused the fire." Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.
Building Declared a Total Loss
Vic Shaw, owner of Sea Breeze Properties, received word that the building is considered a total loss. He described the scene as "sad," with the roof burned off and many walls collapsed. Shaw noted that although the building was constructed to code and completed in 2023, sprinklers were not required due to its size. Once the fire is extinguished, the fire marshal will conduct a thorough inspection to help determine the cause.
Emergency Accommodations for Displaced Residents
After the evacuation, residents, including Hepditch and her family, were transported to the Shediac Multipurpose Centre for temporary shelter. Mayor Patricia Bourque-Chevarie confirmed that she received notification around 5 a.m. that all occupants had escaped safely.
Next Steps and Ongoing Investigation
The fire's cause remains under investigation by authorities. As the community comes to terms with the loss, the immediate focus is on supporting the displaced tenants and determining the reasons behind the devastating residential fire.
Source: cbc.ca.
