CHÂTEAUGUAY, Que. – Residents living in the Domaine des Érables apartment complex crowded into a local community centre Tuesday to find out if and when they will be able to return home following a devastating fire five days earlier.
Two-hundred people were left homeless when a major fire destroyed a large part of the building on Maple Boulevard in Châteauguay on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the building’s management spent several hours answering residents’ questions.
“It feels strange to go back, but they say it’s safe and I believe them,” said resident Diane Bélanger, who lives at 129 Maple Blvd.
But not everyone got good news.
Residents who live at 131 Maple Blvd. found out they will have to stay out of their apartment for up to six months because the building is not structurally safe.
Those affected won’t be able to go in to their homes to get their belongings for at least a week and have been asked to call the building to make an appointment so that there aren’t too many people in the complex at the same time.
Most of the people who lived in the building at 131 Maple Blvd. were over 55-years-old.
Volunteers have offered to help people move or find a new place to live.
Theresa Marcotte said Châteaugay’s Citizen Club has started collecting clothing, furniture and even cash for those fire victims that don’t have insurance.