Esson Road fire marks third in two months
Triplex fire was contained quickly, but not without property loss, injured pets
A fire at 42 Esson Road burned on March 28, leaving at least some of the triplex residents without a home and possessions. At least one resident was taken to Dartmouth General for observation, and at least two pets were under emergency veterinary care, as well.
According to neighbourhood resident Bill Kidney, firefighters showed up promptly and seemed to get the fire under control quickly. However, the fire was substantial enough to upturn the lives of building residents.
Michelle “MJ” Jesso, who resided in the middle unit with her partner Dennis Frazier, told the Post that she believed all of the residents made it out safely and that one of the neighbours was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but the Post has not confirmed this. Two of Jesso and Frazier’s cats needed emergency veterinary care; one has since been released, while another continues to receive oxygen.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started for Jesso and Frazier by their friend Chris Beck. Beck notes that while they had basic tenancy insurance, Jesso and Frazier “lost everything and will be in a hotel while they search for more permanent housing - and we all know how hard that is in this city in the current market.”
The Post will share additional details about the fire and other fundraisers as they become available.
The fire is currently under investigation by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. Currently, a cause has not been reported.
This is the third fire to hit the Pleasant-Woodside neighbourhood since the start of February. The first, on Feb. 7-8, burned the former Sobeys building at 205 Pleasant Street. The second, on March 2, burned half of a duplex at 476 Renfrew Street. Halifax Fire has not yet released investigation summaries for these fires.
Several businesses at 205 Pleasant Street have since reopened for normal operations, including the Pleasant Street Diner, MacKay’s PharmaChoice, and HDR Vapes.