FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West

Ste. Anne de Bellevue residents wishing to take a stroll along the canal in the town’s west end will have to wait as Parks Canada and police investigate a suspicious fire last week that gutted a visitors’ cabin on the grounds of the historic site. For now, the area has been cordoned off, said Ste. Anne de Bellevue spokesperson Rita Latif.

“We know as much about this fire and its cause as what Parks Canada has told us,” Latif added.

Parks Canada issued a public notice Jan. 10, alerting residents that a fire had broken out inside the building, causing extensive damage.

“Please note that the Ste. Anne de Bellevue Canal National Historic Site is currently closed indefinitely due to a fire in the lock’s log cabin. We ask you to respect the signage in place,” the notice stated.

The town also posted a public notice on its website and Facebook page, repeating Parks Canada’s warning to stay away from the locks while the investigation continues.

Parks Canada officials could not be reached for comment.

Local resident Natacha Filion, who regularly strolls along the canal, said she hopes the cordoned off area will reopen to the public soon.

“One thing for sure is that I miss my jetty walks,” Filion said. “The crossing is blocked from access.”

Another local resident, photographer Dan Bouger, visited the site this week and posted a photo of the gutted structure, suggesting that perhaps some good can come from the unfortunate incident.

“Here’s wishing that Parks Canada takes the occasion of this fire to rebuild and beautify the current site,” Bouger said, “with more open space and lots of windows rather than a cabin with disgusting toilets for employees who deserve better.”