Suspicious fire in an abandoned building in Rivière-Bleue

A major fire broke out early on December 15 in an abandoned lumber mill, on rue de la Frontière Ouest (route 289), in Rivière-Bleue. When the first responders arrived on the scene, around 5 a.m., the fire in the building was widespread.

“We protected the other buildings and limited the spread of the fire. We also insulated piles of wood that were behind to prevent them from catching fire,” explains the director of the Rivière-Bleue Fire Department, Gino Fortin.

This old wood mill had been closed for several years. It was not supplied with electricity. An investigation was opened and the scene was transferred to the Sûreté du Québec.

“There are indications that it could be a suspicious fire. An investigation is underway to determine the causes and circumstances of the fire,” explains Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Elizabeth Marquis.

Firefighters managed to gain control of the flames around 8 a.m. this morning. No one was hurt. Around twenty firefighters from Rivière-Bleue and Pohénégamook participated in this intervention.