A volunteer firefighter and father of three lost his life while fighting the flames of a blaze in a residence in Boischatel, on the Côte-de-Beaupré, on Saturday evening.
Courtesy photo
Martin Tremblay, 43, was fatally injured during the intervention.
Martin Tremblay, 43, was part of the sapper team that was called in around 11:30 p.m. on rue des Silex when a residence caught fire.
The fire is said to have started in the attic of the garage before spreading to the rest of the house.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
The house on rue des Silex was completely destroyed by flames.
The couple who lived in the house, their four children and their dog were able to get out in time and were not injured in the incident. But the house was completely destroyed by the flames.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
“Everything was on fire, it was a real horror sight. The lady came to take refuge with us for a while, she watched her house burn down. She was speechless, ”says Nicolas Gagné, a neighbor.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
Bad luck
After a while, due to the power of the flames and the fragility of the building, the Boischatel / L’Ange-Gardien Fire Safety Service (SSI) requested the building to be evacuated.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
The rear structure of the house collapsed under the force of the fire.
“There was no longer anyone inside, but there was a collapse of a structure at the back of the building on one of our men”, explains the director of the fire department, Norman Huot, referring to Martin Tremblay.
Witnesses reported seeing the emergency services transporting the 40-year-old firefighter to the middle of the street to try to resuscitate him.
The man was seriously injured and was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after.
“It was almost over, everyone was out. This is what is the saddest part of all this, it was a stupid accident, a stroke of bad luck, ”laments Mr. Huot.
The Major Crimes Unit of the Sûreté du Québec went there to try to clarify the situation, as did the CNESST, which must investigate the circumstances of the death.
“An act of bravery”
The deceased was a volunteer firefighter in Boischatel, but also an employee of the City of Quebec.
“He is a father of three who lost his life in an act of bravery, someone who devoted his last gestures to something very worthy. It is extremely sad, ”said the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand.
The mayor of Boischatel, Benoit Bouchard, stressed that this was the sad first death of a firefighter in the municipality for at least 50 years.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
“Psychological services were offered to the fire department and to City employees. Everyone is upset … ”he said.
Across the province, the various fire protection and police services offered to offer their condolences to their deceased compatriot, on social networks.
As for the family that was thrown into the streets a few days before Christmas, the community of Boischatel has come together to offer donations of all kinds.
The Société Saint-Vincent-de-Paul will also help out.