The quiet, residential Rue Richer in Les Coteaux was invaded by fire trucks at around 9:15 this morning, when a fire broke out on the balcony of one of the six apartments in an apartment building at civic address 123.

At the time of writing, the origin of the blaze was unknown. According to initial reports, flames and smoke were clearly visible on the outside balcony, which faces the street, when the first firefighters arrived on the scene earlier this morning.

A swift attack by firefighters from the Coteau-du-Lac/Les Coteaux brigade and their colleagues from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Saint-Polycarpe and finally Saint-Zotique limited the damage to the affected apartment and restricted the risk of it spreading.

The building's six apartments were evacuated of all occupants, both human and animal. However, although a great deal of smoke has spread throughout the building, the majority of occupants will no doubt be able to return to their homes following the intervention.

No injuries were reported, but one of the occupants suffered a nervous shock at the scale of the scene.