A 53-year-old tenant was arrested for criminal negligence following an apartment building fire in Quebec City, according to local authorities. Roughly 65 firefighters responded to the blaze at a 13-story building located at 10 Marie-de-l’Incarnation Street, which is managed by the Office municipal d’habitation de Québec (OMHQ).
Emergency Response and Evacuation at Marie-de-l’Incarnation Street
The emergency call came in around 5:40 p.m. as thick black smoke poured from the 10th floor of the structure, requiring a second alarm. Police officers arriving early helped evacuate residents before handing operations over to firefighters. Fire crews extinguished the fire on the affected floor, established a security perimeter, and continued building evacuations, deploying approximately 65 firefighters in total.
Did You Know? Roughly 65 firefighters responded to the high-rise blaze, deploying a second alarm after emergency calls signaled thick black smoke pouring from the upper floors of the OMHQ residential building.
Injuries, Shelter, and Ongoing Police Investigation
About a hundred residents were evacuated during the late-afternoon incident. While several individuals were evaluated on-site by paramedics for smoke inhalation, one woman was transported to a hospital, and her condition inspires no concern. Le Soleil noted that four people in total were assessed by paramedics, and a police officer with the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ) was also affected by smoke. The Red Cross and Hydro-Québec workers deployed to the scene, with a Civil Security representative requesting Red Cross support for displaced occupants. Investigators from the SPVQ and the Judicial Identification Unit examined the scene, and police report the 53-year-old suspect remains in SPVQ detention while the investigation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages the residential building where the fire occurred?
The building is managed by the Office municipal d’habitation de Québec (OMHQ).
How many residents were evacuated from the tower?
Approximately 100 residents evacuated the building during the late-afternoon emergency intervention.
What is the status of the suspect in custody?
A 53-year-old male tenant was arrested and remains detained by the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ) while investigators examine the scene.
How would an unexpected displacement like this impact your household’s emergency preparedness plans?