A family loses its home on the eve of Christmas

Photo Agence QMI, Erik Peters
Absent at the time the fire broke out, the family of four has lost her home on Christmas eve.

QMI agency

Sunday, December 24, 2017 08:35

UPDATE
Sunday, December 24, 2017 09:31

Look at this article

SAINTE-MADELEINE | the family residence was destroyed by fire in the night from Saturday to Sunday in Sainte-Madeleine, Montérégie. Absent at the time the fire broke out, the family of four has lost her home on Christmas eve.

After having received several calls shortly after midnight, the fire department of the municipality has activated the general alarm. Firefighters from neighbouring municipalities then came in reinforcement. Not less than 40 firemen fought the flames in the two-story house on the street of the Founders.

“The work was complicated by the cold,” explained Mathieu Lacombe, assistant director of the fire Department of Sainte-Madeleine.

Photo Agence QMI, Erik Peters

The family, which was outside, was supported by the department of disaster relief of the Red Cross.

The fire was contained and nobody was injured. The thesis of arson has been ruled out by firefighters, but, ignoring for the moment the origin of the disaster.

“It is too early to give a damage estimate. By contrast, one speaks of a total loss to the residence,” said Mr. Lacombe.

Help from the community

A few hours after the disaster, the inhabitants of Sainte-Madeleine squeezed already the elbows to help the family, who has two young children.

“Here, this is not long. It was a community of Sainte-Madeleine on the internet. People are grouped together, and they communicate quickly enough”, explained the mayor of the municipality, André Lefebvre, VAT New.

The mayor Lefebvre was looking for a temporary housing for this family experienced on Christmas eve. “We know here in the area of contractors who have blocks to apartment,” he said.