Military Convoy On The Road To Gagetown

It's not an invasion but, an exercise.

At least 50 military vehicles carrying up to 500 soldiers will be making their way to CFB Gagetown between 9am and Noon today.

The members of 37 Canadian Bridge Group and other units are taking part in The Maple Raider exercise that takes place annually giving soldiers the chance to hone their combat skills.

City Man Deported To The U.S.

A man living in Saint John originally from New York State has been deported by Canadian authorities and no one seems to know why.
Jeffrey Curley was taken into custody by agents last night (Wednesday) in St. Stephen.  His wife and 12 week old son are with him at a Calais Hotel.


His mother in law Claudia Stackhouse-Leblanc tells CHSJ News he went down to have a clerical error of his work papers fixed.

She says when he arrived on the Canadian he was told he had to leave the country.

Jeffrey Curley has lived in Saint John since 2004.  Stackhouse-Leblanc says they have contacted local politicians and a lawyer for help on the matter and his employer Circle K is also trying to help.

New NDP Leader Speaks In Fredericton

Newly-elected Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy says his first goal is to build the party into a strong and independent party that can transform the political agenda in New Brunswick.


Cardy says he wants to change the province and he invites everyone to share their vision for a fairer and richer province.
The 40-year-old from Fredericton has worked as an organizer with NDP campaigns across the country since the early 90's.


He expects the Conservatives will slash and burn public services to deal with the huge deficit facing the province.

Bigtime Energy Savings Being Reported By Saint John Transit

The new transit building on the east side is not a Taj Mahal........That message being delivered by Common Councillor Chris Titus who chairs the Transit Commission.

It cost six per cent more to put in place such energy saving measures as solar wall heating, the collection of rainwater to wash the buses and a heat recovery system for the entire building. Skylights are also used to reduce the amount of electricity used for lighting.

 The assistant General Manager at Saint Transit, Brian Thorne says with the yearly energy savings, that extra money will be all paid back in four years time.
 
Thorne concedes they're still saddled with a property tax bill of 380 thousand dollars but discussions are continuing with government officials to get some tax relief.

Major Crime Seeks Help After A Taxi Robbery

The Major Crime Unit on the lookout for the young man who robbed a 55-year-old cab driver at knifepoint early this morning.


A man in his mid-twenties got some cash and took off on Carmarthen street about 1:40 this morning.

He weighs about 185 pounds and is 5 foot 8, clean shaven wearing a maroon winter coat and a dark ball cap.

City police are looking for your help in locating the suspect.
If you know anything call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the Major Crime Unit at 648-3333.

Dalzell Calls Six Year Approval For A Irving Oil Proposal Worrisome

A leading provincial environmentalist says granting Irving Oil a 6 year approval on the environmental impact assessment for a proposal in Red Head is worrisome. Irving Oil has completed a provincial review and must complete the tougher federal IA for a marine terminal and barge landing facility.


Gordon Dalzell of the Clean Air Coalition tells CHSJ News EIA approvals are usually only granted for a three year period.
He says he's not happy the Province gave the company a six year window to proceed with the project based on data from 2008 to the present.   Dalzell says part of this proposal would see a pipeline connect the Irving Oil refinery on the Loch Lomond road to Red Head meaning great disruption to residents during the construction phase. The deadline for public comment on the federal EIA is tonight at midnight and Dalzell is hoping to get his thoughts in on time.

Harbour Cleanup Project Is On Time

A City of Saint John spokesperson says the sinking of a barge in the Port on the west side will not impact the timelines for Harbour cleanup.

The barge sank last month and the Nova Scotia contractor on the project brought in another one to replace it.
Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News work on Harbour Cleanup both in the water and on land remains on schedule.

If You Have To Fill Up, Be Prepared For Price Shock

It would have been a good idea to fill up before the weekly setting of gas prices. Drivers in the city are being hammered with major increases.

Self serve regular has risen to $1.17 a litre around town which is an increase of just over 5 cents.

Diesel is up to to $1.28.5 a litre, a rise of six cents and heating oil is almost 7 cents a litre more expensive at $1.15.2.

Cabbie Held Up In Uptown

An early morning armed robbery is under investigation.

City Police telling CHSJ News a cab driver was robbed around 12:30 this morning at King Street East and Carmarthen.

The robber had a weapon and ran away with a small amount of cash.

The driver was not hurt.

Plan Being Worked On To Raise Sunken Barge From Harbour

Negotiations between contractors and insurers for the removal of diesel fuel in a barge that sank on the west side last month.

Ryan Green of Coast Guard Environmental Response tells CHSJ News once the fuel is removed, work will begin getting the barge out of the water.

Green says they need some good weather to do it safely.

Green adds as far as pollution from the diesel fuel is concerned, they have seen minimal sheening as the tanks were capped and the vents plugged immediately after the barge sank.

Cardy Is The New Provincial NDP Leader

Dominic Cardy is the new leader of the New Brunswick NDP.
Cardy plans to lay out his plans for the party and the province at a Fredericton hotel tomorrow.
The party was planning to hold a leadership convention in April and back in January Pierre Cyr had put his name forward as a leadership candidate as well.

Nominations For Senior Goodwill Ambassadors Close On Friday

It may surprise you to learn that this province has 35 senior goodwill ambassadors representing each of the 15 counties.
They are appointed by the Social Development Minister for a two-year volunteer term.
Murray Carpenter of Saint John tells CHSJ News he was nominated by a friend.

He says the job is to promote New Brunswick every chance they get and he says he likes to work with seniors at the Wellness clinics at the Loch Lomond Villa and in other locations.
Carpenter represents Saint John county and adds his duties include welcoming events.
Nominations close on Friday for anyone who might be interested in being a senior goodwill ambassador.  For more info..click here.

Math Program About Sea Dogs Launches Today

Canaport LNG and the Saint John Sea Dogs teaming up once again to launch the 5th season of the Get Fanatical About Math program.

The program uses Sea Dogs hockey to help teach math to students from kindergarten to grade 8 in School District 6, 8, and Samuel-de-Champlain.

Program developer Derek McCallum tells CHSJ News the goal of the program is to get kids excited about math.

About 15 thousands students participate in the program annually.

City Is Considering a Change To The Way It Collects Garbage

Garbage pick-up in the city could be undergoing some changes in the near future.

Council approving a test pilot of a mechanized cart system for trash pick-up. Residents would rent or buy carts from the city.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase claims the benefits are numerous by reducing injuries to the workers and less of a mess on city streets. The city is looking into what neighbourhood should pilot the cart system.

Douglas Avenue will also be participating in a 10 week pilot project in which many households will have a 2-bag maximum for curbside pick-up. It's hoped that the limit will reduce waste, encourage recycling and promote composting.

Province Reaches A Deal With School Workers

32 hundred teacher's assistants, administrative assistants and school library assistants reaching a deal with the province.

Members of Local 2745 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees now have a tentative collective agreement and details are being withheld until a ratification vote is held.

Human Resources Minister Blaine Higgs is thanking negotiators from both sides of the table in working together to reach a positive outcome.

The previous collective agreement expired in February of 2009.

1500 New Brunswickers Have Expired Medicare Cards

If your Medicare card has just expired at the end of February and you're wondering where your new card is, you're not alone.

The province's department of health says 1500 New Brunswickers have yet to receive their new card because of a roll-over to new computer software.

Department of Health spokesperson Danielle Phillips says all expired card-holders are fully covered and the province will pay for any charges that may be incurred while the cards are being sent out.

She says by month's end, all of the new cards should be out.

New Regional Fire Service Rolled Out In Charlotte County

Fire departments in Black's Harbour and Pennfield have been rolled into a new regional service.
The new service is covering Black's Harbour - Pennfield - Beaver Harbour - and - a portion of the Lepreau area.
Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch says the new agreement will ensure a high level of service for area residents -- the original Pennfield service has been suffering from a shortage of volunteers.
The merger has been in the works for over two years.

Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Announces Fundraising Goals

Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick is putting it's fundraising crosshairs on research programs.

DMNB announcing it's fundraising goals today: 15 million dollars split equally between a research lab, medical student research fund, and the establishment of a research chair in occupational medicine.

Assistant Dean of Research for Dalhousie Medicine NB Dr. Tony Reiman tells CHSJ News expanding research is of the utmost importance as it will attract research funding and will help the med school become fully accredited.

Campaign Chair Lynn Irving says 75 percent of the money has already been raised.

Securities Commission Warns Investors About Illegal Trading

The New Brunswick Securities Commission reports the illegal trading of stocks tops the list of violations last year. Commission Executive-Director Rick Hancox tells CHSJ News with technology, much of the illegal activity originates outside the province.

He says they see solicitation through the phone, internet and email where a potential investor gets a call depending on what is leading the business news.
Hancox says this could be oil, gas or foreign exchange and usually offers a rate of returns that sounds too good to be true.

Parking Ban Declared

The city is declaring an overnight parking ban for the south/central peninsula tonight.

Cars need to be off the streets by 11pm.

Drivers can park their cars in five city lots overnight beginning at 6pm but they must be moved tomorrow morning by 7am.

The five lots are: the corner of Princess Street and Charlotte Street, King Street East, Peters Street, Carmarthen Street/Vineyard Chruch, and Mecklenburg Street at Wentworth Street.

Dispute Leads To Confusion Over Boil Orders

The political sparring between the city and Rothesay over a water pipe dispute is leaving some people confused.
The city has sent letters to 90-homes and businesses within city limits along the Rothesay Road warning the dispute could lead to an indefinite boil water order for them.
Reports of the letter and dispute have some people in the area actually believing they are under a boil order - however - no boil orders have been issued for either city or Rothesay residents.
The city is threatening to sue its suburban neighbour breach of contract after the town disconnected some of its residents from the city water system.

PRO Kids Aims To Help 1000 Kids This Year

PRO Kids is hoping to reach the $1 million dollar mark for fundraising this year and to place 1000 kids in positive recreation activites.
Manager Tammy Desaulniers tells CHSJ News the guest speakers at the annual dinner are Millrats coach Jaren Jackson and Bobby Hayes of the Joshua Group.


She says they wanted to recognize Hayes for his work in the community and she says Jackson is doing wonderful work with the Millrats and they are very excited the team has come to the city.
Councillor Peter McGuire says he was pulled into PRO Kids a decade ago by Roly MacIntyre and he spent four years on the board and calls the organization a gem in our community.

The PRO Kids "Fun" raising dinner is off to a good start thanks to a $10,000 donation today from the United Commercial Travellers union. The dinner is coming up at the Delta on April 7th.

For more info, click here.

Mayor Justifies Legal Action Against Rothesay Over Water

Mayor Ivan Court making it very clear how he feels about the potential lawsuit with Rothesay over a disconnected water pipe.

The city plans to file suit against Rothesay for disconnecting a water pipe that ran from Rothesay Road into Kennebecasis Park and Hastings Cove.

Court says because Rothesay backed out of an agreement for Saint John to provide water, 90 Saint John businesses and homeowners in the Rothesay Road area now need a new water pipe which the Mayor believes Rothesay is responsible for.

However, Council did vote in favour of having members of the Saint John Water Utility Committee approach the town of Rothesay about discussing the issue before litigation becomes official.

Proposed Seniors Complex On East Side

A proposed 44 unit seniors apartment complex on Loch Lomond Road is getting closer to reality.
Common Council has approved 1st reading of the rezoning needed to push the project forward.

However, a point of contention is the possible extention of Josselyn Road to the complex. Issues arising include whether the city or the developer would pay for an extention and safety concerns from residents living on the road.

City staff will talk with the developer to iron out a solution.

Airline Passengers At Saint John Airport Now Have Choice When Passing Through Security

The full body scanners that have been put to use in airports around the U.S. and Canada are now at the Saint John Airport.

The devices will be used if a screener requests a secondary search of a passenger. You then have a choice between going through the scanner or getting a physical patdown.

The devices will be used beginning today.

A Messy Drive Home Tonight

Environment Canada calling for up to 17 centimetres of snow for Greater Saint John.There are delays and cancellations at the Saint John airport.
Meterologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News the temperature remained below freezing so we are getting more snow than initially expected.
He says they have issued a snowfall warning for Saint John but inland areas like Rothesay and Quispamsis could get up to 20 centimetres.  Cote says by about 8 tonight, the snow will change over to rain.  
It may be best to call ahead to check on the status of your flight.
For more info, click here

Blaney Gets An Earful About Government's Wetlands Policy

The Environment Minister hosting the first meeting in her listening tour in Saint John on the government's wetlands conservation policy and she got an earful.


It was standing room only with developers, farmers and landowners from Musquash to Belleisle Creek and Sussex telling Margaret Ann Blaney how the government wetland mapping system is hurting them and will in turn hurt the province.
Landowner Scott Robinson is tired of hearing how it's supposed to help buyers, sellers and planners.

Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney will not commit to rescinding their Wetland mapping system if it proves that's what everyone wants to see happen.
She says she is not prejudging the process with 9 stops on the tour and she will report back by mid-March.
One speaker called the government's policy an insult to rural New Brunswick while another says the mapping has rendered four of his lots unsellable--a potential loss of $50,000.

Rothesay Residents Will Be Asked To Help Fundy St. Andrews Aquarium

A transformation is taking place in St. Andrews with the folks at the Huntsman Aquarium into the home stretch of creating the Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Spokesperson Muriel Jarvis tells CHSJ News the new aquarium will be almost 20 thousand square feet and three times larger than what it's replacing and there will be more than just marine life on display. Visitors will be able to see a thirty foot display showing how the Bay of Fundy tides work.

7.5 million of the project's 8 million dollar cost has been raised so far. People in St. Stephen, St. Andrews and Rothesay will be contacted to see if they're willing to make individual contributions.

It's hoped the new facility will open up in time for the long weekend in July.

Black History Society Wants the Black Experience In New Brunswick To Be Taught

As Black History Month draws to a close, the New Brunswick Black History Society is looking for a grant to research and publish a blook on the black experience in the Province.

The Society's David Peters tells CHSJ News blacks may have come to the province as free Loyalists but that doesn't mean they had an easy time of it.

Peters says they faced alot of discrimination starting with being denounced in the 1785 charter. He argues that story should be taught in schools around the province.

Over the next year, the Black History Society will be reaching out to people, families and institutions for diaries, documentation, photos and stories about the black experience.

Moore Focusing On Recovery Not Election

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore says he's unconcerned with the rumblings of a possible federal election on the horizon.
Moore tells CHSJ News he interested in doing the work of the federal government to promote economic recovery.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says an election will a battle over the middle class - but - Moore says the middle class is more interested in getting our economy back on track than going to the polls.

Deputy Mayor Wants To Prevent Legal Fight Between City And Rothesay

As the city prepares a lawsuit against the town of Rothesay over a water dispute, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase wants some dialogue to forestall legal action from going ahead.

Chase will be making a resolution at tonight's council meeting for members of the Saint John Water Utility Committee to meet with representatives from Rothesay before a lawsuit becomes official.

The city plans to sue Rothesay for disconnecting a water pipe that ran from Rothesay Road into Kennebecasis Park and Hastings Cove because of concerns over the quality and the number of boil water orders that have been issued.

The city is warning that 90 Saint John businesses and homeowners in the Rothesay Road area may have to boil their water indefinitely.

Common Council Told City Is Making Great Strides On Treating Sewage

There's light at the end of the tunnel..........That's the message to be given to Common Council tonight from the head of Municipal Operations as the city strives to eventually see all wastewater that's collected being treated.

Paul Groody says people will, nevertheless, have to be careful about what they're dumping down the sewers.

Construction of the eastern wastewater treatment facility is 85 per cent complete and should be done by this July.

Groody considers this to be the centrepiece of harbour cleanup and he maintains Saint John is ahead of Moncton and Halifax when it comes to wastewater treatment.

Environment Minister To Hear Concerns Over Wetlands Beginning Today

Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney calls it her listening tour about government policy on wetlands and it will get underway this morning at the Lily Lake Pavilion.

Blaney has been hearing concerns from developers, mayors, planning commissions, farmers and land owners about future restrictions on development. 

She does say there seems to be alot of misunderstanding over that part of the mapping analysis about where wetlands may or may not be. She tells CHSJ News wetlands, which prevent flooding, have to be protected for the sake of the developers.

Blaney says government policy stipulates there be 4 per cent of the province made up of wetlands but the controversy has arisen over the mapping analysis of where wetlands may or may not be.

Inmate Dies In Dorchester

The RCMP's Major Crime Unit are investigating the death of 63-year-old Roch Thériault, an inmate at the Dorchester Penitentiary.  Thériault was involved in an altercation yesterday and died as the result of his injuries.

Thériault's death has been deemed a homicide, and a 59-year-old man, who is also an inmate at the penitentiary, has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Fire Crews Kept Busy In North End

A pair of incidents in the north end keeping emergency crews busy.

Around 3am, crews responding to a rolled-over vehicle on Douglas Avenue near Alexander Street.  2 people in the vehicle but no serious injuries.  Police are investing the cause.

At 3:30am, fire crews finding a vehicle on fire at Metcalf Street. Police believe the car was stolen.  No one was hurt.

KV Fire Chief Celebrates 1 year anniversary

It's almost a year since KV Fire Chief Bill Ireland got the job and he says it's been a whirlwind.Bill Ireland tells CHSJ news the challenges are different in part because the Valley doesn't have a strong industrial component like Saint John.

Their biggest challenge is having enough people on scene when there is an emergency

Chief Ireland wishes Saint John Chief Rob Simonds the best of luck in Hamilton, saying he is a greator mentor to the entire New Brunswick fire service.

Wear That Seatbelt Or Face A Fine Or Worse

Buckle Up or face the consequences....
City police will be conducting spot check programs next month.

In a release, the Saint John police force claims between 40 and 50 per cent of fatalities in car accidents result from crashes where drivers and passengers are not wearing seat belts properly.
The fine for not drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts properly is $172.50

The City police remind everyone that wearing a secured seat belt can save their life.

Few Accidents In Last Night's Weather

It seems a lot of people decided to stay home and avoid the weather.
Both Saint John and Rothesay Regional Police reporting very few accidents last night and yesterday due to the storm.

City police did close the Highway at Spruce Lake for four hours due to white out conditions.  It re-opened about 4:30 this morning.

Saint John Gets Off Easy After Major Storm

We got off easy with 13 centimetres of snow for Saint John recorded at the airport.  St. Stephen was a little worse off than us with 16 centimetres of snow yesterday and Moncton residents are digging out from 27 centimetres.
Environment Canada meterologist Jean Marc Couturier tells CHSJ News says the snow continued for most of the night and is just tapering off in Sussex.
He says there is still blowing snow and drifting because of gusty winds to 70 kilometres an hour which may result in reduced visibility.

Couturier says the system is pulling away meaning conditions will starts to improve.

Last Call For Simonds

A poignant moment today when the Communications Centre in Saint John announcing the last fire call for outgoing city Fire Chief Rob Simonds.
The alarm heard by fire crews, ambulance personnel and the city police service.
In the announcement, the dispatcher thanking Simonds for his many years of service and wishing him best in his new post as Fire Chief in Hamilton, Ontario.

Buses Are Coming Off The Roads

City transit buses are running anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes behind schedule on most routes. The buses are coming off the roads around 6:30 tonight

To see our list of cancellations: click delays under the local news tab.

Storm Update

If you are inland, you may be see a lot more snow for our lastest winter blast.
Meterologist Claude Cote says in Saint John we should see 15-25 centimetres of snow at times mixed with rain.

He says the brunt of the storm is impacting the Sussex area with 35 centimetres for the Moncton area.  Gusty winds pick up tonight with conditions improving overnight with it all over by daybreak with a sunny Saturday in store.


Cote says by tomorrow morning there should be 35 centimetres of snow on the ground at Poley Mountain.

Kitchen Fire Displaces Mom and Son

The tenants of a Millidgeville apartment building had to evacuate their homes after a grease fire this morning.
The stove top fire has left a woman and her six-year-old son temporarily homeless.
They are staying with relatives for now and the Red Cross is helping them get emergency clothing.

The fire at 133 Woodhaven Drive was contained to one apartment but adjacent units had smoke or water damage and required cleaning and an electrical check before tenants could return home.

Bishops Think McKay Highway Needs Improvements

There's alot of speculation about the fate of the planned expansion of the McKay Highway between Saint John and the Valley now that some owners have been told their land won't be expropriated because it's not needed.

That doesn't come as any surprise to Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop. He tells CHSJ News the traffic congestion could be alleviated somewhat by improvements to the on and off ramps to and from the highway.
He thinks it would because so much traffic enters the highway near the fire station on Campbell Drive.  Bishop believes it should be widened. A spokesperson for the Transportation Department says the highway expansion is still be evaluated and no final decision has been made.

The Port City Is Not A Seller's Market

Saint John is not a seller's market these days when it comes to unloading a home. That word from Jason Stephen who's President of the Saint John Real Estate Board.
Stephen says the days on market averages are increasing and the market is unlike 2007 and2008 when there were more sales and more product moving quickly.

Housing sales in January were down 16 per cent from January of 2010 with the average price of almost 172 thousand dollars which is an increase of 2 per cent year to year.

Federal Law And Order Minister In North End Praising O.N.E. Change

The Federal Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews in Saint John yesterday to see what O.N.E Change Youth Inclusion Program in the north end is all about.

Toews says by seeing the success of the program firsthand, it will be easier to provide future funding.
The Federal Government funds the program through it's National Crime Prevention Strategy.

The Youth Inclusion Program addresses risk factors for young people, including substance abuse and lack of recreational activities to keep them from getting ensnarled in the criminal justice system.

Toews praised School District 8 for what it's doing at Lorne School. The O.N.E Change program has received more 914 thousand over 4 years.

Saint John To Get Hammered Again By More Nasty Weather

Another big weather maker will be passing through the Saint John Region with the worst of the storm expected tonight. That word coming from Steve Fougere of Environment Canada.

He says the snow will begin this afternoon but the worst of the storm is expected from early this evening until midnight.

Saint John is expected to receive 20 to 30 centimeters with up to 40 inland.

Fougere warns the snow will be heavy at time and expects 20 centimeters of snow to fall over a 6 hour period with the really strong winds developing around midnight.

Fundy Civic Centre Project Gets Financial Boost

Both the federal and provincial government opening the cheque book for Sussex as ach is committing an additonal 1 million dollars towards the construction of the Fundy Civic Centre.

The facility is currently under construction and when finished, will offer community meeting and spectator space, an indoor aquatic facility and a fitness centre.

Airport Doesn't Feel Left Out During Recent Funding Announcements

Despite both the federal and provincial governments giving money to the Fredericton and Moncton airports for improvements, the Saint John Airport doesn't feel left out in the cold.

President Bernie LeBlanc tells CHSJ News they're always working on getting money from the government and it's just a matter of timing.

He says the money being used at the other facilities are for runway maintenance and expansion, something the Saint John airport doesn't have to worry about until 2018.

Tourism Minister Pleased With Port Expansion

With the berthing capacity being expanded at the port, Tourism Minister Trevor Holder is excited for what that holds for the cruise industry.

Holders says it will allow more people to experience the great city of Saint John and he's confident that if a visitor is in the city for one day, they will want to return for the full maritime experience.

Weston Has Looksee At U-N-B Saint John Expansion

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston getting a first hand look at the expansion taking place on the campus of U-N-B Saint John.

Weston tells CHSJ News the federal government allocated 8 million dollars towards the construction of the Commons Building as part of the infrastructure programme in the aftermath of the financial meltdown in 2008 but it was well worth it.

He predicts it will become the focal point of the campus and describes it as U-N-B Saint John's coming of age. The building is expected to be finished in June.

Saint Johnners Avoiding Big Price Increases When Filling Up

Price shock is being seen with gas in several major cities across the country but not in Saint John.

Self serve regular has gone up by a cent and a half a litre to $1.11.9 but that pales in comparison to an increase of 3.6 cents a litre seen elsewhere.

Diesel in the city has also risen but by the slightest of margins to $1.22.5 and heating oil remains listed at $1.08.1.

Fire Crews At North End Nursing Home

It's always a scary situation when fire crews are called to a nursing home and that's what happened at Rocmaura in the north end.

 District Chief Joe Armstrong says a transformer shorted out and there was smoke coming from the basement.

The basement was ventilated and the residents who were evacuated returned to their rooms on the first floor.
 
The fire department is investigating why the transformer malfunctioned in the first place.