FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report

Two blazes that destroyed abandoned buildings in Les Cédres and Les Coteaux on April 24 and 28 kept regional firefighters busy. While the cause of each fire is unknown, the Sûreté du Québec is looking into the possibility that at least one of them may have been criminally set.

Shortly before 4 a.m. on April 28, flames completely destroyed an empty house at 1609 du Fleuve Rd. in Les Cèdres. While the cause is unknown, arson has been ruled out. It took firefighters from eight local municipalities five hours to extinguish the blaze.

On April 24, a fire levelled the once popular Deux Frères pizzeria in Les Coteaux. Neighbours off Highway 338 called 911 around 3 a.m. as flames were ripping through the former restaurant, which had closed its doors several years ago. The building had been put up for sale.

According to Louis-Philippe Ruel of the Sûreté du Québec, the fire is still under investigation. While firefighters could not determine the cause, the SQ’s arson squad is taking a closer look.

In the end, it took more than 60 firefighters to put out the blaze, which was finally extinguished at 8:30 a.m.