According to the city of Sherbrooke, there would be no injuries.
It’s not the first time this building has caught fire.
Photo: Radio Canada / Sebastien Prieur
It is not the first time that a fire has broken out in this building: in 2021, too, the fire brigade had to intervene to extinguish a fire at the same address.
The intervention required the presence of about thirty firefighters.
Photo: Radio Canada / Sebastien Prieur
30 firefighters were mobilized. During the day, the chief of the fire department predicted that it would take several hours for the fire to be extinguished. By 1:30 p.m., the fire was contained but not under control.
Stéphane Simoneau believes that because of the risk of collapse, firefighters must use defensive tactics to avoid putting themselves in danger.
Stéphane Simoneau is the Director of the Sherbrooke Fire Department.
Photo: Radio Canada / Titouan Bussiere
The concern of local residents
Not only has the same building already caught fire, but another building on Gordon Street was engulfed in flames last October. Residents in the area are concerned. Such is the case of Catherine Chapdelaine-Viger and her spouse, who recently contacted their local councilor, Raïs Kibonge, to demand immediate action from the city at 40 rue Brooks.
“I’m a bit tired of looking out the window in my office and seeing burning buildings. It’s a bit stressful in terms of security, it’s unsettling. And me, that asks me, because here on the street there are buildings of old people. »
— A quote from Catherine Chapdelain-Viger, resident of Brooks Street
Catherine Chapdelaine-Viger is a Brooks Street resident.
Photo: Radio Canada / Titouan Bussiere
Raïs Kibonge confirms receiving such an email but claims the procedures are lengthy. When we first saw this file we wondered what we were waiting for to dispossess it and demand that it be refurbished or resold to someone who could take care of it. But the reality is there are many laws protecting private property, the city council asserts.