Man, 91, and woman, 46, dead after house fire in Boisbriand
A second deadly fire within 12 hours in Quebec has claimed the life of two more people.
Police in Therese-de Blainville (RIPTB) are investigating the cause of a fatal residential fire in Boisbriand, just north of Montreal.
The RIPTB reported that an 8:30 a.m. 911 call on Friday reported heavy smoke coming from a house on Beth-Halevy Street.
"The fire was quickly brought under control by the fire service and may have been accidental in origin," said RIPTB inspector Karine Desaulniers.
Firefighters on the scene were told that two people, a 91-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman, were inside.
Both were taken to a hospital, and were pronounced dead.
"Our investigators and fire scene technician will try to determine this in the next few hours," said Desaulniers.
COMMUNITY DEVASTATED
The victims were members of the Hasidic Jewish community in Boisbriand, according to Issac Weiss, who works with Shomrim, a public security service in the community.
Weiss said when the fire broke out, a neighbour tried to wake the couple to no avail. The fire department arrived within minutes, he said, and broke down the door.
Four families, about 20 people in total, live in the home and were there when the fire broke out, according to Weiss. Shomrim helped evacuate the home and get the evacuees access to food and shelter. They are now staying with family.
Everyone in the community – including police and doctors – are working as fast as they can so they are able to bury the victims before 4 p.m., he said, as they must bury them the same day and before Shabbat, according to their religious beliefs.
"The community is devastated," said Weiss. "This is the first time this has happened in our community, in 60 years of existence that someone has died due to a house fire. Everybody is in shock but we are all coming together to support the families."
ANOTHER FATAL FIRE
It is the second deadly fire where two people died in Quebec on Friday.
Firefighters found the lifeless bodies of two people after a house fire in Rawdon, Que. in the early morning hours. The investigation into the causes of that fire is ongoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.