SAINT-LAURENT – Around 150 firefighters were on the scene of an early-morning five-alarm blaze in Saint-Laurent.
Flames rose like torches out of the roof of St-Laurent’s public works building located at 3001 Cavendish Blvd.
With the borough’s heavy equipment stored inside, firefighters say they are lucky there wasn’t an explosion.
“The fire started in the mechanical side of the building. In any garage there are different flammable liquids,” said Ian Ritchie with the Montreal Fire Department.
“It caused a concern to make sure there were no explosions and the safety of the firefighters was definitely in question.”
Firefighters say the blaze started in or near some of the borough’s street sweepers.
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Plumes of smoke were visible for kilometers, reports said motorists could even see them from the Mercier Bridge, several kilometers away from the blaze.
While the damage is extensive, borough Mayor Alan DeSousa said the building was partially protected.
“The cement slab on the roof has prevented it from going further down on the building and at this point in time they are fighting it on the roof, cutting trenches to stop it from spreading to other parts of the building,” added DeSousa.
“The smoke is quite considerable and it will have a significant impact on our operations, not just for today, but for weeks and months to come”
The majority of the borough’s city trucks were also inside the building. That includes garbage trucks, street sweepers and snow removal equipment.
Officials say trying to figure out how the borough will provide services will be a logistical challenge.
Saint-Laurent will get assistance from Ahunstic-Cartierville to maintain services in the coming days, enough time to figure out what can be salvaged from the charred remains.