The police investigation into the fire, possibly criminal in nature, which destroyed four businesses located in the same building on rue Bernard-Pilon in Beloeil on the night of November 10 continues.
Elements were taken on site by the Richelieu–Saint-Laurent Police Authority (RIPRSL) to be analyzed in the laboratory. A crime scene technician was therefore mobilized. Laboratory processing can take a few weeks, according to Régie spokesperson Sergeant Jean-Luc Tremblay.
The fire was reported around 3:26 a.m. by police officers who were traveling in the area. He started in the business on the left, the PawLux grooming salon, causing damage to every other business in the building. Everything suggests that it was a total loss. Two birds located in the PawLux premises died during the fire.
Note that the neighbors on the back street were evacuated preventively due to the smoke and embers. The electricity was also cut off in the area to allow teams to work safely. A total of 40 firefighters responded. The Vallée-du-Richelieu intermunicipal fire safety board received a helping hand from the services of Sainte-Julie and Chambly.
The Municipality of Sainte-Madeleine was also called in to provide reinforcements to cover the territory in the event of other fires. The fire was brought under control around 6:44 a.m.
Businesses impacted
In addition to PawLux, the Textile Printing businesses, Vape Dépôt and the Univers Fantastique comic book and card game store were also ravaged by the flames.
“The store was of course heavily impacted, but fortunately, no one was injured and the entire Fantastic Universe team is safe and sound. We would like to greatly thank the entire community who have shown us the warmest support and encouragement. This is a very difficult situation for all of us, but, thanks to your love and support, it greatly helps us to keep our heads high and face adversity,” commented on social media those responsible for ‘Fantasy Universe.
The commercial site is made up of two lots. The first was built in 1976 and was valued at $414,000 on the 2022-2025 property assessment roll of the City of Beloeil. The second was erected in 1981 and was worth $177,200. According to the Quebec Business Registrar, the owner is the company Gestionimmobilier Beloeil, whose directors are Beloeil residents Frédéric Yelle (president) and Cynthia Denicourt-Doyon (secretary), as well as Chambly resident Jocelyn Métras (vice-president). .
A second suspicious event
This was the second suspicious event to occur in a short time in Beloeil. The building on Cartier Boulevard housing a convenience store as well as the florist Décor en fleurs was reportedly the target of gunfire on the night of November 8. For the moment, the RIPRSL cannot determine whether the two events are linked. It was residents of the area who alerted the police around 1:20 a.m., claiming to have heard gunshots. “Police officers quickly arrived in the area and noted that the business had traces of projectiles. Immediately, the premises are protected and the patrol officers try to locate suspects, if possible,” reports Sergeant Jean-Luc Tremblay.
A busy day
A few hours after controlling the fire on Bernard-Pilon, around 11 a.m., members of RISIVR were called to intervene in a residence on rue Léopold-Lacroix, also in Beloeil.
Firefighters had to put out a cooking fire caused by frying in a pot of oil. A citizen suffered a laceration to his hand. The fire was brought under control within 50 minutes. The kitchen suffered significant damage. A total of 20 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
