Watch: Quebec Minister vows to follow-up on sprinkler system at seniors home fire
MONTREAL – Quebec’s Minister for Social Services said on Friday that the provincial government will do everything it can to ensure that tragedies like the fire in L’Isle Verte do not happen again.
“I want people to know that this tragedy is not seen as a fatality in life, as if these things just happen and we just have to deal with that,” Veronique Hivon said.
“We have to do everything possible in the government to make sure that such tragedies don’t happen again.”
READ MORE: Search for fire victims resumes in Quebec
The fire that destroyed a seniors’ home in the small village in eastern Quebec has been raising questions about whether more regulations are needed.
The Residence du Havre was only partially fitted with a sprinkler system.
While authorities do not yet know what happened, Hivon confirmed that the most recent safety drill at the residence had been carried out in under eight minutes.
She also addressed concerns about the lack of sprinkler systems in the seniors’ home.
“There is a committee under the head of the Minister of Civil Security that is looking specifically into this question of the sprinklers,” she noted.
“All attention is being given to this issue. We are very concerned. The investigation is ongoing and we will be able to see what played a role.”
Find out how you can help the people affected by the fire
Hivon also confirmed that a wide range of services were being offered to the community, in particular to the volunteer firefighters.
“People can go to the primary school to ask for help. There are psychologists and social workers there to help them,” she said.
“There are services for the volunteers, the firefighters, who are really working hard, and having a hard time also, because many of them know the people who are involved in this tragedy.”
Local residents can obtain help and access services by visiting the school or by calling 8-1-1.
“We have to repeat this message, ‘We are there for you, never be shy to ask for help.'”
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