A few days before Christmas, the spirit of mutual aid is alive and well in Limoilou, where the community mobilized to help a man chased from his apartment by a fire.
The accidental fire started in a four-unit building on Avenue Bardy, in the Maizerets sector, around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
When firefighters arrived, one of the apartments was filled with smoke and there were flames on the stove, according to the Quebec Fire Protection Service (SPCIQ).
The intervention made it possible to prevent a spread to other homes, but the affected tenant, aged around sixty, was unable to return to his home due to the damage, in addition to being taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Solidarity
For his neighbor Maude Bergeron, it was out of the question to leave him to his own devices in the face of this kind of misfortune, especially a few days before the holidays.
“When I came home and saw the extent of the fire […] I said to myself, ‘OK, he’s probably going to need help,’” explains the citizen, indicating that he lives alone and doesn’t really have any family in the area.
Having seen the interior of the apartment, “there is probably nothing salvageable in there, perhaps some small dishes, but even then I highly doubt it,” adds the young 27-year-old mother, who considers herself lucky not to have suffered any damage.
In just a few hours, several people responded to his call for solidarity published on the Facebook group of citizens of Limoilou.
This simple gesture could make a big difference for your neighbor.
“It really worked. I had a lady who gave me a $50 VISA gift card. I have an oven, a single mattress. I have plenty of food; personal things, deodorants, soaps,” she lists.
“Even if he has insurance, it doesn’t cover everything,” she emphasizes.
She knew people were generous, but not to this extent. “People know very well that, if this happened to them, they would clearly need help,” she adds.
Her neighbor has also expressed his gratitude, she mentions, even if she prefers not to identify him so as not to add to the stress surrounding her situation.
At the time of the interview, Wednesday afternoon, she was still accepting donations.
“Of course clothes would be nice. I would say kitchen items, food items and personal items,” she says, inviting people to connect with her through social media.
Prevention
At the SPCIQ, we took the opportunity to give some prevention advice.
Spokesman Bill Noonan recommends, for example, using approved appliances for frying foods, avoiding heating oil in a pot and being aware of distractions while cooking.
You should also not neglect to check that your smoke alarm is functional and that the battery is properly installed, he reminds.
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