Fire in six-unit building in Alma kills one: SQ investigates
Posted September 20, 2025 11:43 am.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is investigating a fatal fire in Alma, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
The flames started around midnight on Friday night in a six-unit building on Scott Street, at the intersection of Gagnon Street.
“Most of the tenants were able to be evacuated by police and firefighters, but when the fire was extinguished and firefighters were able to enter the building, they unfortunately discovered a body,” confirmed Sergeant Hugues Beaulieu, spokesperson for the SQ.
A coroner’s inquest has been opened, in particular to formally identify the victim, who is an adult.
Fire scene investigators from the Sûreté du Québec’s Major Crimes Investigation Division are also conducting their own investigation, but there was no immediate indication of arson.
“Today, two fire scene technicians from the Sûreté du Québec will be on site to determine the cause of the fire. However, to date, there are no visible criminal elements, so we would be talking more about an accident, an unintentional fire,” explained Sergeant Beaulieu, emphasizing that it is still too early to say anything about the cause of the blaze.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
