Media Releases

Fire destroys large garage on outskirts of Amherst

Fire destroyed a large garage containing several vehicles, some of them antiques, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

The alarm was turned in just before 5 p.m.

When Amherst firefighters arrived on the scene, located just east of Amherst at the intersection of Highway 6 and the John Black Road, they discovered a building fully engulfed in flames, Amherst Deputy-Fire Chief Brian Farrow said.

A large black cloud that could be seen from as far away as Springhill billowed dozens of metres into the sky. Flames were also shooting several metres into the sky.

The tin-clad building was built in the 1950s and was full of old vehicles, which made it a “bit of a challenge to fight,” Farrow said.

As firefighters battled the blaze, small explosions could be heard coming from inside the building.

Several vehicles parked outside the garage were also damaged.

Given its location, water had to be shuttled to the scene from hydrant located on the outskirts of Amherst.

Highway 6 was closed to traffic as the blaze was battled.

Firefighters from Sackville, N.B., Truemanville, Shinimicas and Leicester assisted the Amherst department in fighting the fire.

“The building is a total loss,” Farrow said. “At this point, its cause is undetermined.”

He said no one was in the building when the alarm was turned in and none of the firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.