A Saint John man whose Mecklenburg Street building was saved from a fire that gutted two buildings next door over the weekend is criticizing city officials, but praising firefighters.

Tim Creamer, who owns 80 Mecklenburg St., says the vacant wooden building two doors down, where the fire started, should have been torn down years ago.

"I've been complaining about it. My neighbours have been complaining about it," said Creamer.

"The city says, 'It's bordered up. We'll monitor it.' Well, come and monitor it now, you know? Look at what people have lost," he said.

Twenty-three people were forced from their homes early Sunday morning after the fire in the unoccupied building at 70-72 Mecklenburg St. quickly spread to the neighbouring wooden building, next to Creamer's.

'It is an issue. And it's a scary one. It's like living next to a tinder box if you have a vacant building next door.'—Ward 3 Coun. Donna Reardon

"I have to start all over again. My whole family has to start over again," said Shayne Melvin, who lived in 74-76 Mecklenburg St. with his wife and three children.

Melvin says police were called many times during the past three years about people going in and out of the vacant building.

"Everybody knew it was a hazard, we've been constantly talking to the city and saying it was a hazard. And eventually it just came to this," he said.

Ward 3 Coun. Donna Reardon says the city has set aside more money to deal with derelict buildings. But it needs to take action sooner, she said.

"It is an issue. And it's a scary one," said Reardon. "It's like living next to a tinder box if you have a vacant building next door."

The two buildings, which partially collapsed in the fire, were slated to be torn down on Monday afternoon.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it has now been deemed "suspicious."

Officials believe it started at the rear of the vacant building, said Divisional Chief Mark Wilson.

Investigators have been sifting through the rubble, searching for clues.

Heavy fire, smoke and heat conditions forced firefighters to exit the buildings and focus instead on keeping the fire from spreading.

'I thought it was gone'

The two buildings, which partially collapsed in the blaze, were slated to be torn down on Monday. (John Van Dusen/CBC)

Creamer credits the fire department with saving his building, which sustained smoke and water damage.

"I thought it was gone. I really did," said Creamer, who lives in the building, along with his daughter, who has her own unit, and another tenant.

"My wife, she was devastated, my daughter … My daughter's due for a baby in two weeks and all her stuff is in the apartment — all brand new baby clothes and everything. But they can be washed," he said.

"We got no water damage to the furniture that I can see yet, but I haven't been through the rest of the house. But it will take a while."

Creamer has insurance, but says the owner of the building next door does not.

Meanwhile, the 23 people forced into emergency housing will have to start making alternate arrangements.

"We supply the basic needs for up to 72 hours, which gives them time to reorganize and get themselves on their feet," said Red Cross volunteer Deborah Stewart.

Officials initially believed 16 people had been displaced, but seven more people, who had left the scene, have since contacted the Red Cross.

Of those initial 16 people, 14 required immediate assistance, while the other two found their own place to stay, said Stewart

"They were devastated. And I wouldn't expect anything less from them," she said. "Put yourself in their place, that you lost everything, like your pictures, clothing, your memories are gone.

"I mean, there were children, infants, and some were on the third floor — and they were very fortunate they got out."

A Facebook group, called Mecklenburg street fire, has been started to help co-ordinate donations for the displaced tenants.

The group, which already has more than 1,000 members, has received offers of everything from clothing to furniture.