A 50-year-old is in critical condition following an explosion in a building in Longueuil on Monday afternoon. Two young children were also injured. The spreading fire was brought under control by firefighters.
Posted at 5:01 p.m.
Updated at 7:28 p.m.
An explosion shook the first floor of a four-plex on Briggs Street West around 3:30 p.m. Monday. The cause of the explosion and the ensuing fire could not be determined by the Longueuil agglomeration fire safety service (SSIAL).
A 50-year-old was taken to hospital with facial burns. His condition deteriorated in the early evening and he now lies between life and death. Two young children were also hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Their life is not in danger.
The fire quickly spread to the second floor of the quadruplex, located on a residential street. Three other people had to be evacuated and were taken care of by the Red Cross, says Alain Lessard, SSIAL division chief.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes and required the intervention of 37 firefighters. Nearly half of the building was saved, says Mr. Lessard.
The scene was protected until Tuesday when a team from the Longueuil agglomeration police department (SPAL) will open an investigation to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.