The centre City of St. John’s filled with smoke just as people were arriving for work this morning, the result of a residential structure fire.
The blaze broke out at about 8:30 a.m. on Empire Avenue across from Monchy Street and Suez Street in an area of multi-unit houses. Damage is significant with firefighters from St. John’s Regional still on the scene.
Fire crews are on the scene of a major structure fire on Empire Avenue in St. John’s. Traffic is blocked off to the area. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/v0ogd0251E
— Sara Strickland (@_SaraStrickland) July 29, 2024
People who live in the immediate area, including Rabbittown, complained of thick smoke which was having an effect on air quality. That section of Empire is closed off.
There is no word on injuries or the extent of the damage caused by the blaze, but several people have been displaced.
Due to a structure fire on Empire Avenue in St. John's, the road is closed from Cairo Street to Monchy Street.
Emergency responders are currently providing support to fire suppression efforts.
Please use an alternate route until further notice. #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/WfME3AzFQk
— Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (@RNC_PoliceNL) July 29, 2024