Major fire: 11 people on the street and community mobilized

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Eleven people had a sad start to the year when their homes were engulfed in flames. The next day, the community mobilized and initiatives continued to support the victims.

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The director of the Fire Safety department and emergency measures coordinator at the City of Edmundston, Jacques Doiron, confirms that on January 4, around 7:50 p.m., emergency services responded to 157, avenue Saint-Georges for a fire. cooking.

“As soon as we arrived on scene we could see flames coming out of the front door. We made primary attacks, but the flames had spread through the building and had risen to the attic.”

“After looking for hot spots, which was a little difficult, particularly due to the structure of the house, we used a mechanical excavator to get to where it was difficult to access,” continues Mr. Doiron.

While indicating that the firefighters managed to spare the surrounding residences, Jacques Doiron adds that the Edmundston firefighters called the Saint-Joseph fire brigade. In total, around 35 firefighters battled the blaze.

According to Mr. Doiron, the weather conditions, including the cold, did not make the firefighters’ task easier.

“The temperature varied between –14 and –15 degrees Celsius. We needed to make sure the equipment didn’t freeze and rotate staff more frequently.”

“With the exception of one resident, who breathed smoke, there were no major injuries. Everyone managed to evacuate the building,” he confirms, adding that firefighters remained on the scene until around 7:30 a.m. the next morning.

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In addition to suggesting that the rental property is a total loss, Mr. Doiron adds that cooking fires occur too frequently in the region.

“We work to raise awareness about this problem and do a lot of prevention. However, there is still work to be done on this side,” he confirms.

On the owner’s side…

Although she deplores the situation, the owner of 157, avenue Saint-Georges, is delighted that no one was injured and that the firefighters managed to spare the residences located nearby.

Saddened for her tenants, including a family of two adults and three young children as well as six students and young workers, Lisa LeVasseur took the time to meet them to discuss their needs.

In addition to confirming that all the tenants lost their personal belongings and did not have insurance for their personal property, Ms. LeVasseur launched a crowdfunding campaign.

“The population is very mobilized, but despite material donations received and to come, the fact remains that there are several things that the tenants no longer have. We are thinking in particular of their laptop or electronic tablet, glasses with vision, textbooks for their studies, money, boots with steel caps, furniture, etc..”

“Certain essential needs are met temporarily but these people will have to start from scratch, or almost,” she continues.

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While the objective of this campaign is to raise $11,000, Ms. LeVasseur insists that the goal is to alleviate the financial burden of those affected by this fire.

“The tenants supported this approach and the amount raised will be paid to them. (…) If we exceed the financial objective, the surplus will be given to organizations in the North-West,” she specifies.

Here is the link to access the GoFundMe campaign (Fundraiser by Lisa LeVasseur: Fire victims-Ave St-Georges Av.- Fire victims). As of this writing, approximately 49% of the goal has been achieved.

For the moment, Ms. LeVasseur is not able to confirm whether she will move forward with the reconstruction of her rental property.

“I am uncertain, because the costs for owners are very high. On the other hand, I liked to make it my duty to provide affordable housing,” she said, dated January 7.

Daycare mobilized for the affected family

Like Ms. LeVasseur, the owner of the Les Zamibulles daycare and co-owner of the CPE Phare-O-Bulles and the Melubulle daycare, Mélanie Levesque, had at heart the desire to relocate the tenants.

“The children of the affected family attend our bubble daycare centers and we want to help them. We first obtained permission from the father to share the family’s needs. We have collected enough clothes to meet the needs of the entire family,” she confirms.

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“It’s about a good family and super nice people. In my eyes, the parents in our daycares form a big family and the fact that people have been so involved means a lot to me. I am proud to be part of this community!”

Before drawing up a list of furnishing needs for this small family, Ms. Levesque insisted on the importance of finding them housing.

To the great joy of Ms. LeVasseur and Ms. Levesque, the family will have a roof over their heads, while the six other victims will be relocated in the near future.

In addition to tipping her hat to the City of Edmundston’s Fire Safety Department for its professionalism and dedication, Ms. LeVasseur highlights the fact that many people have expressed a desire to help the victims, notably the Community College. of New Brunswick, clothing counters, the Red Cross, the Zamibulles daycare and many others.

Moreover, this wave of solidarity continues, among other places, on social media.

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