By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Fire crews across the Eastern Townships responded to six separate incidents over a 48-hour period from Thursday to Saturday, taxing local resources and showcasing the readiness and resilience of regional firefighters. From vegetation and cooking fires to devastating structure losses, each incident posed unique challenges—but no injuries were reported.
North Hatley hedge fire narrowly avoids home
The first call came in at 1:41 p.m. Thursday on Chemin du Lac in North Hatley. What was initially reported as a building fire turned out to be a vegetation fire sparked by amateur electrical landscaping work.
“We’re confident it was electrical,” said Stephen Nicholson, Director of the Régie incendie Memphrémagog Est (Memphremagog East Regional Fire Authority). “There was decorative trench wiring running along a cedar hedge that shorted out.”
Firefighters from Station 4 in North Hatley responded quickly and prevented the flames from reaching the home.
North Hatley attic fire – Firefighters from several stations work late into the night to contain a blaze in a single-family home on Sherbrooke Street in North Hatley. The fire was limited to the attic and part of the ground floor, and the occupant escaped unharmed.
Attic fire in North Hatley prompts major response
At 7:52 p.m. Thursday, firefighters were called to a confirmed structure fire on Sherbrooke Street in North Hatley. Crews from Stations 2 (Fitch Bay), 3 (Ayer’s Cliff), 4 (North Hatley), and mutual aid from Waterville were mobilized—about 40 firefighters in total.
The fire was contained to the attic and part of the ground floor of a single-family home. The occupant escaped safely after being alerted by a passerby. While the home had working smoke detectors, the fire had not yet triggered them.
“The smoke hadn’t reached them yet,” Nicholson explained. “The passerby’s actions made a big difference.”
Early morning blaze destroys Fitch Bay home
Less than 10 hours later, at 5:29 a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to Remick Street in Fitch Bay. Despite the house being just down the road from Station 2, the building was already fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived.
“The fire moved fast,” said Nicholson. “The occupant was woken by a smoke detector and was able to evacuate safely. That likely saved his life”.
Crews from Stations 1 (Stanstead), 2 (Fitch Bay), and 3 (Ayer’s Cliff) responded. The structure was a total loss.
Fitch Bay fire in progress – Flames engulf a home on Remick Street in Fitch Bay early Friday morning as fire crews from Stanstead, Ayer’s Cliff and Fitch Bay work to bring the blaze under control. The house was a total loss, but the resident was alerted by a smoke detector and escaped safely.
Cooking fire in North Hatley apartment quickly controlled
While crews were still clearing the Fitch Bay site late Friday morning, another call came in from an apartment building on Massawippi Street in North Hatley. This time, the source was a cooking fire.
“It was confined to the apartment of origin,” Nicholson confirmed. “The building was evacuated as a precaution, but all residents were able to return later that day.”
Stations 3 and 4 handled the incident. Damage was limited to a kitchen appliance.
Sawyerville auction building lost to flames
Friday afternoon, fire consumed the Encan Sawyerville (Sawyerville Auction) on Route 253 in Cookshire-Eaton. The Lafaille family-owned facility was a key regional livestock hub, hosting weekly auctions and major specialized sales throughout the year.
The building, in operation for 55 years, was declared a total loss. When The Record visited the scene mid-afternoon, firefighters were finishing suppression efforts, but a police safety perimeter in place prevented media from approaching to ask for additional information. As of press time, local chief of operations Marcel Charpentier had not responded to a request for comment.
Eaton Corner – Charred remains are all that’s left of the Sawyerville Auction building on Route 253 in Eaton Corner following a Friday afternoon fire. The agricultural landmark, owned by the Lafaille family, was destroyed.
Ogden family escapes flames thanks to quick thinking
The sixth fire occurred early Saturday morning in Ogden. Stanstead Battalion Chief Chris Goodsell told The Record that the residents were woken by the flames and evacuated safely. They called 911 from a neighbouring home, as their phones were left behind.
“There’s no suspicion of foul play,” Goodsell said. “The building is salvageable.” The Red Cross was on scene assisting the family at the time of his call.
Stations 1 (Stanstead), and 2 (Fitch Bay), responded to this call.
No injuries, but resources stretched
Nicholson praised his firefighters for their endurance and professionalism under pressure.
“Station 3 in Ayer’s Cliff ran three of the four [Memphremagog East] calls, and Station 4 in North Hatley ran three as well,” he said. “It was an exceptional 24 hours.”
He emphasized that quick mobilization, teamwork, and working smoke detectors were key to preventing tragedy.
“Smoke detectors genuinely save lives,” Nicholson said. “Nobody got hurt. We can’t ask for more than that.”