A fire Sunday night completely destroyed the building that housed the grocery store and only pharmacy in the Lower North Shore community of Blanc-Sablon.
It is a heavy blow for the village with just over 1100 inhabitants.
According to initial findings, the cause of the fire was accidental.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) was called around 10:30 p.m. Sunday night to assist firefighters and manage a security perimeter.
Firefighters from the Blanc-Sablon community battled the blazes late into the night, also receiving help from neighboring Labrador firefighters.
According to CFBS radio in Blanc-Sablon, the JL Joncas grocery store had been part of the community since 1954.
Pharmacy Uniprix Clinique Danielle Driscoll opened in the last decade.
The mayor of Blanc-Sablon is also a former pharmacy employee.
Andrew Etheridge can’t believe he can’t see the big building at the entrance to the village anymore.
The good news is that if all goes well, the pharmacy will reopen in a new location by the end of the week.
The equipment and medicines are already on their way and until then the pharmacies of Sept-Îles will take care of the residents of Kegaska in Saint-Augustin.
From Vieux-Fort to Blanc-Sablon, you can count on the help of the pharmacy at the Center de santé de Blanc-Sablon.