Fire strikes seniors’ residence in eastern Quebec forcing evacuation

Provincial police say there were no injuries after fire hit a seniors’ residence in the eastern Quebec community of Gaspé.

The Manoir Saint-Augustin is home to 131 residents and was damaged by the blaze that began early Thursday, just after 1 a.m.

READ MORE: Dozens evacuated after fire in seniors’ residence in Trois Pistoles, Que.

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Police say an investigation is ongoing, but they believe that an unattended cigarette set a mattress on fire.

Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke in the corridors of the building.

READ MORE: Quebec postpones sprinkler requirement for private seniors’ homes to 2022

Residents were taken care of by their families or Canadian Red Cross volunteers.

Police say they don’t know when residents will be allowed to return to their homes because the water used to douse the flames caused considerable damage.

READ MORE: 1 dead, 11 hospitalized after suspicious fire in seniors home