(Quebec) Five people have died as a result of three fatal fires in Quebec since Friday evening, including two in areas affected by power outages.
In Saint-Basile, in the Portneuf region, a woman lost her life in a fire that broke out in a triplex in Saint-Basile, in the MRC of Portneuf, near Quebec City.
The flames started around 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning in the apartment building located on Rang Sainte-Angélique, in an area that was affected by a power outage.
“According to the first observations, the fire started in the upper apartment, on the third floor. On the spot, the firefighters quickly made the discovery of an inanimate woman in the housing of the third floor. Resuscitation maneuvers were carried out, but unfortunately his death was declared on his arrival at the hospital, ”said Sergeant Stéphane Tremblay, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
The flames were of such intensity that the building is a total loss. The other occupants of the triplex were evacuated in time. By mid-morning, the fire was brought under control by firefighters.
Then, while searching through the rubble, the firefighters discovered two other remains in the remains of the apartment where the first victim had been found. The age and sex of these two victims have yet to be determined.
“Since there was a death in this event, the investigation into the search and causes of the fire will be transferred to the Major Crimes Investigation Division of the Sûreté du Québec. There is also a fire scene technician who was requested on the scene, ”said Sergeant Tremblay.
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
Caused by a candle
A few hours after this tragedy, an octogenarian died and a woman was seriously injured during the night from Friday to Saturday following a fire which was allegedly caused by a candle left unattended in their home in the borough of Saint- Foy-Sillery-Cap-Rouge, in Quebec.
The Quebec City Fire Protection Service intervened around 6:35 a.m. By mid-morning, the fire was under control by firefighters.
The home had been affected by a storm-related power outage since Friday. The fire is of accidental origin. The Fire Protection Department mentions that the smoke detector was working and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
Another death, in Mauricie
Another drama also played out the day before, in Louiseville, in Mauricie.
Around 10 p.m. on Friday evening, firefighters were called to the scene of a fire on avenue Saint-Martin. Upon arriving there, they discovered a charred body in the residence.
The fire had then spread to an adjacent duplex, which required evacuations, but no injuries were reported.
Note that the sector where the fire occurred was not affected by a breakdown and its cause remains undetermined for the moment, as does the identity of the victim. The investigation has been transferred to the Major Crimes Investigations Division.
With The Canadian Press and The sun