A devastating fire ravaged Val-des-Monts elementary school in Prévost, located in the picturesque Laurentians region on Friday evening. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the school was vacant at the time, according to Mayor Paul Germain.
Emergency services were alerted just before 8 p.m., prompting a swift response from firefighters and surrounding town departments. The blaze left the school in ruins, leaving around 400 students and staff without a place to learn and work.
In a compassionate message on social media, Sonia Bélanger, the representative for Prévost and the minister overseeing the Laurentides region, announced the formation of a crisis team to address the needs of the affected students and staff. Minister Bélanger assured the community that efforts were underway to relocate the students promptly to ensure their education continues without disruption.
Sonia LeBel, the newly appointed Minister of Education, also extended her support to the devastated community, acknowledging the challenges faced during this critical back-to-school period. She commended the bravery and dedication of the firefighters who battled the inferno, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated action plan to address the aftermath of the fire.
Mayor Germain expressed his gratitude to the numerous fire departments that came to aid the Prévost City Fire Department in extinguishing the flames. He highlighted the collaborative spirit and professionalism displayed by all involved parties, underscoring the unity and solidarity in times of crisis.
Despite the tragic events of September 12, the mayor remained optimistic about the community’s resilience and praised the collective efforts that helped contain the fire and support the affected residents. He assured the public that water consumption restrictions had been lifted, while a precautionary boil water advisory remained in place for specific residences in the PSL sector.
