A major fire destroyed two residences and five garages in Ferland Park, in Sept-Îles, during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Firefighters received a call around 3:40 a.m. for a fire in the garage of a residence on rue des Genêts.
The strong winds quickly spread the fire to two residences on rue des Marguerites-blanches. Four other garages were engulfed in flames. Around fifteen other homes were evacuated as a safety measure.
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The significant blaze forced the evacuation of around fifteen residences in the area.
Photo: Josée Gagné Bergeron
Two other houses suffered damage, but this was limited to the exterior cladding and they are still habitable. Residents of the burned homes were supported by the Red Cross.
A spokesperson for the City of Sept-Îles confirmed by email on Wednesday that two households totaling six people had been supported by the Red Cross for accommodation and essential items.
-People still evacuated should be able to return to their homes by the end of the day Wednesday, writes the spokesperson.
Firefighters asked Hydro-Québec to interrupt power in the area of the fire, since many wires pass over the burned garages and electrical poles have fallen to the ground.
According to Hydro-Québec, 46 residences did not have electricity Wednesday morning.
Firefighters were still on scene mid-morning Wednesday.
A mechanical excavator was sent to the site to tear down the structure of the destroyed residences, indicates the director of the Sept-Îles Fire Safety Department, Joël Sauvé.
He added that crews are investigating the cause of the fire. Although this is not a problematic sector where interventions are regularly necessary, all hypotheses are still being considered, explains Joël Sauvé.
