A fire of a magnitude rarely seen, even larger than the less than 2012 fire at Olymel in Princeville. The fire at Électro Kingsey on Rue Lemaire in the Kingsey Falls Industrial Park will make history and be remembered. The losses are significant, reaching several million dollars, maybe ten or fifteen million dollars. The exact extent is not known.
The fire mobilized a total of one hundred firefighters from fifteen fire departments around the world.
At 10.15am Saturday morning, the Director of the Kingsey Falls Fire Department, Jean-François Lecomte, gave an overview of this gigantic fire which, we recall, broke out around 2.10pm on Wednesday. “The firefighting operation lasted 60 hours. The last trucks left at 2 a.m. on Friday night. We are maintaining a vehicle with an officer on site for the day, Saturday, to conduct surveillance,” he said, adding that five to six feet of material remains in places. It cannot be ruled out that flames will break out.
Director Lecomte has never faced a fire of this magnitude, nor have previous directors Gilles Dionne and Stephan Jodoin, he noted.
A complex fire because the huge building of more than 60,000 square meters was filled with products that Cascades stored there, namely paper and cardboard. Easily combustible materials distributed in bundles, rolls and on pallets. “Electro Kingsey also operated a carton converting plant there,” said Jean-François Lecomte.
The firefighters used four excavators to support the extinguishing work. “Everyone responded quickly to the call,” the director noted.
The building is a total loss. Only about a sixth of the building is still standing.
Director Lecomte will now do his investigative work to shed light on the circumstances and the cause of the fire. If he has his idea in his head, the cause is undetermined for the time being.
The fire probably started in the rear part of the building on the right-hand side. Staff busy with their duties would have noticed the start of the fire, but the information has yet to be confirmed, Director Lecomte said.
Cooperation
The extent of the fire forced Jean-François Lecomte to call in numerous fire brigades. “I overfished several and cast a wide net. I would like to thank them and several directors including Patrick Davidson of Victoriaville. They also delegated officers, captains to support me and guide me through the different stages. It was great teamwork,” he commented.
A hundred firefighters were deployed, firefighters from Warwick, Chesterville, Danville, Val-des-Sources, Windsor, Victoriaville, Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, Princeville, the Régie Incentraide, the Regional Office of the Fire Protection Service of L’Érable (SSIRÉ), Saint-Léonard-d’Aston, Saint-Camille, Wotton and Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil-Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton.
SSIRÉ also dispatched firefighters to the scene on Saturday morning to help clean and sort the equipment.
Jean-François Lecomte also appreciated the commitment and contribution of the officials of the Arthabaska SIUCQ MRC, who were present throughout the intervention.
solidarity movement
In times of need, there are almost always outbursts of generosity. The Kingsey Falls fire is no exception. The firefighters could see a great movement of solidarity towards them.
“Citizens brought us food and drinks. Restaurants, also local shops like Bistro sans frontières in Kingsey Falls who prepared incredible dishes for us like Paninis with Caesar Salad. We were really spoiled,” said Jean-François Lecomte gratefully.
The Sapeurs ate so well and ate healthy that some had a great time with a good Putin.