A significant fire erupted in a Hydro-Quéébec access shaft on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in widespread power outages across Montreal's Ville-Marie borough. The incident, which unfolded near the intersection of Ontario and d'Iberville Streets, prompted a substantial emergency response from local authorities.
Emergency Response and Safety Concerns
At approximately 12:30 p.m., between 40 and 50 firefighters were dispatched to the scene after reports of smoke emanating from the shaft. According to Montreal fire department battalion chief Francis Fleury, interventions involving Hydro-Québec infrastructure are particularly challenging due to the inherent risks posed by electricity, which can present serious dangers to emergency personnel. Fleury emphasized that Hydro-Québec officials were present on site to oversee the situation and ensure safety protocols were followed.
Outcome and Impact on the Community
Fortunately, no firefighters or citizens sustained injuries during the incident. The one-alarm fire was successfully extinguished by around 5 p.m., marking a controlled conclusion to the emergency. However, the aftermath of the fire continued to affect the local community, with nearly 120 addresses in the area still experiencing power outages as of 8:30 p.m., according to Hydro-Québec's outage tracker. This disruption highlights the critical role of utility infrastructure in urban settings and the cascading effects of such incidents on daily life.
The event underscores the importance of robust safety measures and coordinated responses between fire departments and utility companies to mitigate risks and restore services efficiently in densely populated areas like Montreal.
