A firefighter sifts through the debris after a fire decimated a dozen businesses in the downtown core Monday, October 7, 2013, in Saint Donat, Que., north of Montreal. No injuries were reported and arson is suspected. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
October 07, 2013 - 9:12 AM
SAINT-DONAT, Qc - A quaint downtown in a Quebec community has been ravaged by fire.
The blaze destroyed a dozen buildings Sunday in St-Donat, a small town in the Laurentian mountains about 140 kilometres northwest of Montreal.
Authorities say no one was injured in the fire, which started in the afternoon before the intensity forced people to flee from nearby buildings.
Firefighters from the town had to call in reinforcements from five other municipalities to help quell the flames.
Benoit Richard, a police spokesman, says the fire may have started behind a commercial building. Some businesses were open when the fire began.
The mayor of the small town, Richard Benard, says this morning that authorities have yet to determine what caused the blaze.
Benard says the town is ready to help everyone affected.
Police were guarding the area overnight and investigators are back on the scene today.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013