A fire that broke out overnight in a garage in the small Laurentian town of Sainte-Sophie, roughly 70 km north of Montreal, also forced the evacuation of a nearby seniors’ residence.
According to Pascal Grenier, a Sainte-Sophie fire department spokesperson, the fire broke out at around 1 a.m. Saturday in a garage on Ste-Marie Street, near the residence.
Grenier said the fire quickly spread to the adjoining building, forcing the evacuation of the seniors’ home.
“It took five to seven minutes to evacuate 32 semi-autonomous residents,” Grenier said. “There were no injuries…we’re very happy.”
Between 50 to 60 firefighters were called to battle the blaze, some coming from adjoining municipalities.
Grenier said Mayor Louise Gallant quickly enacted emergency protocol and the residents were taken by bus to the Lionel-Renaud Pavilion where they were taken in for the night.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation and while monetary damages have yet to be calculated Grenier said damage to the building was extensive.
“The residents will have to be relocated,” he said.
It is too soon to say whether the relocation will be permanent or whether the building can and will be salvaged.
Comments