One home, one cottage destroyed by fires in Low Municipality
Bonnie James
The month of April saw a home and a cottage destroyed by fire in the Municipality of Low. In the early morning hours of April 15, fire consumed the home located at 905 Chemin Fieldville. The owner arrived home at approximately 5:00 a.m. to find the structure ablaze. Because the home is located on a remote stretch of Chemin Fieldville in the Cawood area, the homeowner had to drive several kilometers to an area with cellular reception to call for help. The Low Fire Department responded with a pumper truck, tanker truck, rescue unit, and rapid intervention vehicle. The single-story home was a total loss, with damages estimated at $150,000. There were no injuries and no pets reported. Although the cause of the fire could not be determined, the Low Fire Department told the West Quebec Post that the cause was suspected to be electrical in nature. The homeowner was offered assistance from the Red Cross, but declined as they were receiving help from family.
On April 15, debris falling from a burn barrel started a fire that destroyed a cottage and caused a small brush fire at 36 Chemin Barry. The Low Fire Department responded with assistance from the La Pêche and Lac Sainte Marie Fire Departments. As the cottage was set back approximately 500 metres from the road, the La Pêche Fire Department brought in their Off-Road Rescue Crew, which included a specialized all terrain vehicle. Because of the location of the cottage, fire fighting equipment also had to be carried in on foot. The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) assisted in fighting the brush fire connected to the incident. One person was treated on site for smoke inhalation and minor burns. No pets were reported. The cottage was a total loss with damages estimated at $250,000.
Photo Caption 1: Firefighters combat a blaze at 905 Chemin Fieldville, Low.
Photo credits: Courtesy
Photo Caption 2: Cottage destroyed by fire at 36 Chemin Barry, Low.
Photo credits: Courtesy
