‘It’s a huge loss’: Only grocery store in Salisbury, N.B., destroyed by fire

The only grocery store in Salisbury, N.B., has been destroyed by fire.

The only grocery store in the Town of Salisbury, N.B., was destroyed by fire Sunday morning.

Capt. Brad Doucette of the Salisbury Fire Department said they received a fire call at Walker’s Your Independent Grocer around 5:15 a.m.

Doucette said there were flames and heavy smoke coming from the building when firefighters arrived.

No one was in the grocery store at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

“This is a huge hit to the community, but with Salisbury being as it is we’ll rally around it and it will get rebuilt and it will probably be bigger and better,” said Doucette.

Firefighters from Salisbury received mutual aid from the Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe, Havelock, Elgin and Petitcodiac fire departments.

Doucette said around 60 firefighters responded.

Other businesses located in the Main Street plaza were saved from the fire.

“We were able to contain the fire to the grocery store,” said Doucette. “The fire wall between the two separate sections of the mall did its job. There was very minimal damage to the businesses to the right of the building.”

Jacob Wilson was on his way to work at 6 a.m. when he noticed the fire.

“I live right up on Main Street. I came down here about six o’clock, going to work and I just see red. I heard sirens around 5:30, 6 so I come down, she’s gone basically,” said Wilson. “It’s a shame really.”

Loraine Wigmore works at a convenience store just down the road from the grocery store.

“It’s sad, it’s maddening,” said Wigmore. “I’m thankful nobody was hurt. I’m worried about those people that have lost all the jobs.”

Wigmore said a lot of people shop at the store instead of travelling to nearby Petitcodiac, Riverview or Moncton.

“There’s so many seniors here. That’s what they rely on. Especially in the wintertime. Nobody likes to go too far in the wintertime,” said Wigmore. “It’s just sad. All those people without jobs now and that hurts the community really bad.”

Darlene Wilson said she’ll have to get her groceries in Petitcodiac or Riverview now.

“It means a lot because a lot of seniors live here. It’s a huge loss, a very huge loss,” said Wilson.

In a social media post, the Town of Salisbury called the fire devastating.

“We are grateful for our Fire Department and the many mutual aid departments from the region who responded and continue to fight the fire,” read the post. “Our thoughts are with the employees and community members affected by this event.”

In his own social media post, Salisbury Mayor Rob Campbell said everyone is thinking about the more than 40 employees of the store, its owners and their suppliers.

“This is more than a grocery store, it is a place where everyone knows each other, the staff greet you by name and provide such personal and amazing service and is a provider of vital day to day necessities for our residents,” wrote Campbell.

Campbell said Loblaws, as well as the local franchise owner, will release a statement about the fire when they are ready to do so.

“To our residents we know this is devastating and will impact each and everyone of you especially our seniors and those that do not have access to a vehicle. We are looking at what we can do to help,” wrote Campbell.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.