“We could all have been there”: their house razed to the ground by flames a few hours after the birth of their 3rd child

One of the happiest days in the lives of two parents from the Laurentians turned into a nightmare when their home was razed by flames on Monday night, just hours after the birth of their third child.

“At the time it happened, I could have been in the house sleeping, but because of the birth of my little girl, my other two children were at Grandpa and Grandma’s. We were in the hospital,” breathes Jean-Philippe Brault on the line.

“We could all have been there.”

Over the past 24 hours, the 37-year-old man and his partner, Josée Laurin, 31, have gone through all ranges of emotions.

It all started on Sunday, when the lovebirds welcomed little Jeanne, whose arrival was planned 48 hours earlier.

“This is our third baby. So, at the hospital, we said to ourselves that it would go quickly. We just bring a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, a little coat and that’s it,” says Mr. Brault.

Violent fire

What the couple didn’t know was that a fire would completely destroy their home, located on Route 344 in Saint-Placide, during the night. According to some information, a fault in a fireplace is to blame.

The fire was virulent, even taking away the dog Lexy as well as the family’s two cats, Mini and Croquette.

Christmas gifts, huge collections of Lego and bottles of Quebec alcohol were also reduced to ashes.

Jean-Philippe Brault first became aware of the tragedy by seeing a publication on social networks, then it was a friend who confirmed the terrible news to him.

“I was freaking out. I didn’t believe it,” Mr. Brault testifies.

In a state of panic, he was taken home.

“Before I went there I gave my kids a hug, I needed that. I needed to know that they were really alive,” says the father, in tears.

Help

During the day on Monday, several people from the couple’s entourage mobilized on Facebook, calling on anyone with clothes or furniture to come forward.

A fundraising campaign has been launched.

“That’s when you see that the world cares about you,” emphasizes Jean-Philippe Brault, who says he himself is used to helping people in difficulty.

“It’s especially for children. My little girl, she doesn’t yet realize that she has nothing left,” he adds.

The family of five will turn to temporary accommodation for the future. She also hopes to get help from the Red Cross.

Both the baby and the mother are doing well. Josée Laurin, however, remained monitored by doctors, as a preventive measure.