MONCTON, NB – Moncton firefighters were up bright and early this morning following an overnight blaze on Albert Street.

Fire crews were called out at around 2:30 this morning to the vacant two storey house.

Platoon Chief Brian Gaudet says heavy smoke was coming from the attic of the building when they arrived…. and before long, flames were coming from the front and back of the house.

Gaudet says the boarded up building presented a challenge…..

“Several access points were barricaded.. so we had difficulty in getting at the fire.   Once we realized we couldn’t gain access, we switched to a defensive mode…” says Gaudet.

The roof and upper floor of the building appeared to be extensively damaged and  Gaudet says the  building  will have to be torn down.

No one was hurt, and the cause remains under investigation.