The Quebec coroner’s hearings into the deaths of two Saint-Urbain firefighters will commence on Monday, marking a significant step in the investigation of this tragic event.
The hearings will focus on the deaths of two volunteer firefighters, Marc-André Gagné and Éric Lavoie, who lost their lives while battling a fire at a local sawmill in Saint-Urbain on July 14, 2019. The two men were part of a team of firefighters responding to the blaze, which ultimately claimed their lives.
The purpose of the hearings is to gather evidence and testimonies from witnesses and experts in order to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gagné and Lavoie. The coroner’s office will also examine the safety protocols and procedures in place at the time of the incident, as well as the training and equipment provided to the firefighters.
The hearings are expected to last for several days and will involve the testimony of various individuals, including firefighters who were present at the scene, representatives from the sawmill, and experts in fire safety and prevention. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of what led to this tragic event and to identify any potential areas for improvement in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The families of Gagné and Lavoie will also be present at the hearings, along with their legal representatives. They will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide their own perspectives on the events leading up to the deaths of their loved ones.
The Quebec coroner’s office has stated that the hearings will be conducted with the utmost respect and sensitivity towards the families and loved ones of the deceased. The findings of the hearings will be made public once they are completed, and any recommendations for improvements will be shared with relevant authorities.
The deaths of Marc-André Gagné and Éric Lavoie were a tragic loss for the community of Saint-Urbain and the entire province of Quebec. These hearings are an important step in understanding what happened and ensuring that measures are put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of Gagné and Lavoie as they continue to grieve their loss.
