Fire Guts Major Canadian Landmark In Quebec, Some Military Memorabilia Saved

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 07:10:08 +0000
Vittorio Hernandez - AHN News Writer

Quebec, Canada (AHN) - A major blaze hit a historic Quebec landmark on Friday evening, destroying the province's armory museum. The fire started at 9:30 p.m., ruining the major portion of the building built in 1884.

Much of the building had collapsed less than two hours after the blaze started. Only a brick wall and two towers seen from the main entrance were still standing. But military officers said some parts of the building might be saved.

Sylvain Rousseau, head of operations of the Quebec City Fire Department, told the Globe and Mail there was already thick smoke and a major explosion when firefighters arrived.

The rapid spread of the fire destroyed the building's renowned suspended wood ceiling, Canada's largest. "It went very fast, no sooner had the first team of firefighters arrived that they saw thick smoke coming out of the roof of the building... In the time it took to set up the hoses to fight the fire, within a few minutes, the flames spread through the whole building," Rousseau recounted to Globe and Mail.

By 10 p.m., the armory's ceiling had collapsed. The landmark looks like a fairy tale castle. It served as residence to the Les Voltigeurs de Quebec riflemen, a reserve unit of the Canadian Forces. The yearly Remembrance Day rites were held at the armory.

Police said no one was injured by the blaze.

The armory was slated to be host for events to commemorate Quebec City's fourth Centennial this year.

It housed various military memorabilia including First and Second World War items, the Vimy Bell, weapons, uniforms, medals and artifacts. According to General Christian Barnabe, in charge of the Canadian Forces Quebec land unit, some of the memorabilia were saved.

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