City shuts building after severe hazards found
The City of Miramichi has ordered a multi-unit apartment building at 15 Cole Crescent closed, forcing 46 residents to leave on Friday after inspectors identified serious life-safety deficiencies. Municipal officials said the shutdown was carried out on the direction of the Miramichi Fire Department following inspections that uncovered multiple risks that made the property unsafe to occupy.
Mayor Veronique Arsenault said city staff documented issues that require extensive remediation before anyone can return. The file is also being referred to the provincial fire marshal for further oversight as part of the path to any potential reopening.
Deficiencies cited by inspectors
While a full list of violations was not provided, the mayor outlined several of the problems inspectors reported inside the building:
- Missing fire alarms in parts of the complex
- Unmarked exits, contrary to basic egress requirements
- Holes in upper-level floors, signalling structural and safety concerns
Arsenault said the combination of issues created a risk profile that left the city with no choice but to act. She emphasized that significant work will be needed to bring the building back into compliance and that any repairs will be scrutinized by provincial fire officials.
“The issues that are now listed and present in that building will need to be addressed. It has to go through the provincial fire marshal as well. And I think there's going to need to be a lot of work done to this building to make it livable again,”
the mayor said.
Owner warned, deadline missed
According to Service New Brunswick property records, the building is owned by Brian Grosseth. City officials provided a warning on Wednesday, ordering that the hazards be fixed and giving the landlord until Friday morning to complete the work. When the deadline passed without the required repairs, authorities ordered the evacuation.
| Key date | Action |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Owner warned to repair safety issues |
| Friday morning | Repair deadline |
| Friday | Building closed; residents displaced |
Tenants forced to relocate
The displacement affected a range of tenants, including working adults, newcomers and many living in subsidized units, the mayor said. She thanked local partners who mobilized to assist those forced to leave on short notice, noting that community organizations coordinated immediate support as residents sought short-term accommodation.
The city did not specify how long the closure will last. Reopening will depend on the owner’s ability to complete repairs and demonstrate compliance with municipal and provincial fire and building safety requirements.
Prior concerns and next steps
A photograph shared by a community member shows the building in 2019, when residents faced a similar issue. The current shutdown underscores the city’s stance on life-safety standards in multi-unit housing and the consequences for non-compliance. Officials said the property must remain vacant until hazards are addressed and cleared by the relevant authorities.
For now, residents are navigating temporary arrangements while the owner determines a repair plan. The city indicated that further updates would follow as assessments progress through the provincial fire marshal’s review and any subsequent inspections.
What this means for renters
Friday’s closure highlights the obligations of landlords to maintain core safety systems and the powers available to local authorities when deficiencies put tenants at risk. In urgent situations, orders to vacate can take effect quickly, even when they present significant hardship for residents. Tenants affected by building safety orders typically need to coordinate with property owners for next steps and may seek guidance from provincial tenancy resources regarding housing and rights during prolonged closures.
