Four buildings on Rue Principale in La Sarre, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, were ravaged by flames Sunday evening. There were no injuries, but the fire left tenants of 15 homes homeless and affected workers and owners of 13 commercial premises, according to a press release issued by the city.
The occupants had evacuated the premises before the firefighters arrived shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday evening. They were helped by passers-by who had seen the flames first, the city of La Sarre explained.
The fire first broke out in a pizzeria before spreading to the rest of the building and then to neighbouring buildings located in the heart of the historic centre of this municipality of just under 8,000 inhabitants.
A social worker from the Sûreté du Québec and the Red Cross will be on site to help the victims. They will be entitled to assistance with accommodation, food and clothing for the 72 hours following the incident, municipal authorities specify.