A fatal fire in Second Falls is under investigation after firefighters responding to a camper trailer blaze early Saturday morning discovered one deceased individual.
Eastern Charlotte Fire Rescue was dispatched shortly before 8 a.m. on December 27 to reports of a camper trailer on fire, with initial information indicating there may have been someone trapped inside.
Fire crews responded with three engines and approximately 10 firefighters, including units from the Bonny River–Second Falls station and the St. George station. Due to the absence of a hydrant system in the area and the rural location, firefighters established a water shuttle to supply water for suppression efforts.
The fire was brought under control within about 15 minutes of crews arriving on scene. Shortly afterward, firefighters located a deceased person inside the trailer. The identity of the individual has not been released.
Fire Chief Justin Johnston of Eastern Charlotte Fire Rescue told The Courier uncertainty around possible entrapment was known from the outset.
“We were called just before eight o’clock in the morning for a camper trailer on fire,” Johnston said in an interview with The Courier. “When we arrived, it was a fully involved camper trailer. Dispatch did say they weren’t sure if everybody was out or not, and it was probably about 15 minutes in when we discovered a deceased person.”
Johnston said he issued a public statement quickly in an effort to provide accurate information and limit online speculation as multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene.
Several partner agencies attended the scene, including the St. George RCMP, Ambulance New Brunswick, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the New Brunswick Coroner’s Office, and NB Power.
The cause and circumstances of the fire remain under active investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshal, RCMP, and the Coroner’s Office. No further details have been released at this time. The Courier has reached out to the RCMP for response and will update this story shortly.
Eastern Charlotte Fire Rescue has extended its condolences to the family and loved ones affected by the tragedy.
