Large fire engulfs Mont Gabriel Hotel in Laurentians; multiple fire departments respond
Firefighters from several municipalities were called to the scene of a large fire Friday at the Mont-Gabriel Hotel in Sainte-Adele, Que.
Officials told CTV News the fire began at around 10:15 a.m., though the cause of the blaze is not yet clear.
"At around noon, we thought the fire was under control, but it continued to spread through the walls and floors," wrote Sainte-Adele Mayor Michèle Lalonde on social media. "We are trying to preserve the main section."
"It is a general alert, firefighters from about twenty municipalities and cities are involved," she added.
By late afternoon, large portions of the structure had been destroyed while plumes of smoke rose high above what remained of the hotel.
A large plume of smoke hangs over the Mont-Gabriel Hotel in Sainte-Adele, Que. Friday. Firefighters from several municipalities were called to the scene to fight the blaze.
'I THINK OF MY COLLEAGUES, JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS'
Sainte-Adele is a small municipality located about 60 kilometres north of Montreal.
Mont-Gabriel advertises 136 available rooms at its hotel. A promotional video on its website shows large interiors with prominent wood finishing and exposed ceiling beams, which are also made of wood.
"It was a vintage hotel, all made out of logs," said Nathalie Leblanc, who works in the dining hall.
"I’m thinking of the owner,” she said. “After COVID-19, and there was also the tornado at the beginning of the summer."
In late July, a tornado swept through the nearby town of Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard, flattening areas of forest and causing devastating damage to several properties. Leblanc told CTV the hotel was also impacted, with the high winds knocking out power to the building.
"I think of my colleagues, just before Christmas time. I think of the clients, too," she added. "Tonight, the hotel was [fully booked], tomorrow night as well. I imagine that they will all be cancelled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.