It was 4:54 a.m. when 911 was notified of a fire in that residential area, located almost at the western end of Saint-Martin Boulevard, on the Sainte-Dorothée’s side.

Arriving at 4:57 a.m., the first of the nine units of Laval’s Fire and Safety Department required for the intervention (34 firefighters), had no trouble figuring out the magnitude of the situation.

At that time, flames were visible on the first two of the four floors of the building, in addition to reaching the rest of the structure and igniting some of the balconies.

Maneuvers in extreme cold

While the wind factor forced work to be done in a temperature of around minus 20 degrees, firefighters first completed the evacuation of the premises.

Meanwhile, help was requested from the Service de police de Laval (SPL), Hydro-Québec, the Société de transport de Laval (STL), and the City of Laval’s public works department.

The firefighters mainly concentrated their efforts on stopping the spread of the flames to the other floors and to the roof of the building, valued at $6 million, noting that the smoke detectors of the place were functional.

It was around 6:24 a.m. that firefighters brought the fire under control, but it caused damage summarily assessed at $300,000 for the building, and $100,000 for its contents.

Eight people will have to relocate following the fire. The investigation was transferred to the SPL, the firefighters having been unable to determine its origin 100 per cent.

However, the fire would have most likely started on the first floor.

Due to freezing weather conditions, a firefighter injured his ankle while executing his duties.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article $400,000 in Damage for a Suspicious Fire in Sainte-Dorothée est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

When arriving on site, four minutes after receiving the call, the first unit present could see a significant amount of smoke coming from the brick of the back wall, and that, on three floors.

The evacuation having gone well, the firefighters then proceeded to inspect four housing in order to contain the fire.

As electricity and water were cut off from the building, 20 citizens were relocated.

Damage is limited to the original building, and are assessed at a maximum of $30,000.

Let’s note that during the intervention, the Service de police de Laval (SPL), Urgences-santé and Hydro-Québec helped the firefighters. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the fire.

Smoke Alarm

There was indeed a smoke alarm on site, but it was non-functional.

The Fire and Safety Department of Laval would like to remind Laval’s residents the importance of having a working smoke alarm.

Also, the batteries should be checked at least twice a year, at least, and preferably at time changes.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article A Housing Fire Forces the Relocation of 20 People est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.