A fire engulfed a nine-unit condo building on Place Moïse-Therrien in Saint-Lazare shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. Some twenty firefighters from three fire departments were on hand to assist the building's residents. 

At the time of Néomédia's visit, no signs of the blaze were visible on the building's façade. "The fire is accidental in nature, and all indications are that it originated on one of the residence's rear balconies. At this time, the most likely cause is a smoker's article. The blaze mainly affected two dwellings on the ground and 2nd floors of the building," explains Alain Deguire, Assistant Director of Saint-Lazare's Service de sécurité incendie, who was on the scene of the incident. 

A family of four living in the dwelling where the blaze started was thrown out onto the street. They were taken in by the Red Cross, and will have to be relocated in the short term due to the extensive smoke, fire and water damage to their home.

An octogenarian suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital. There is no fear for her life. The other residents of the building, who had been evacuated during the response, were able to return to their homes during the night. 

To support them in this intervention, the Saint-Lazare brigade called upon two additional fire engines and teams from the Sainte-Marthe and Vaudreuil-Dorion fire stations.