HALIFAX, Canada (AP) — Residents of the Canadian city of Halifax whose homes were destroyed in wildfires boarded buses on Friday to see what little was left of their homes.

Some 200 structures, including 151 homes, have been destroyed in the Halifax metro area, although the numbers may change. In total, more than 16,000 people were evicted from homes and businesses in the area.

Katherine Tarateski, a local real estate agent who lost her home in the fire, said she had already seen photos of the ruins her house was reduced to. But she said she wanted to help a neighbor who would see the remains of her house for the first time.

“I’m going to support my friend because she used to live alone, and she doesn’t want to be alone when she sees what’s left,” Tarateski said.

Bill Moore, executive director of community safety, told a news conference that about 200 people would take part in the grim tour of subdivisions northwest of downtown that officials said would be safe to enter for a short time.

Local resident Jody Stuart, who also lost her home in the fire, said she did not want to take part in the tour.

“I have to physically go do what I have to do with my family and friends by my side,” said Stuart, whose 9-year-old daughter hugged a stuffed dog as she sat in the back of the car. his father’s van.

“We exchanged lots of hugs and tears,” Stuart said. But “I have no intention of leaving my community because I love it.”

The contractor said he had all his tools at his house in the Yankeetown subdivision and now they’re gone. “There are only two houses still standing” in my street, he says. “It’s incredible”.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said there was a lot of work to do, but noted he felt reassured.

“In the midst of all this desperation, zero deaths, zero missing and zero injuries,” he added.