One person dies in vehicle fire in Quebec’s Eastern Townships

Incendie/fire - FILE PHOTO. (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News)

One person died Friday evening inside a burning vehicle.

The tragedy occurred in Lac-Brome, in the Eastern Townships, southeast of Montreal near the U.S. border.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 7 p.m. on Spring Hill Road to report a vehicle on fire.

The victim’s body was not recovered until the flames had been extinguished. The coroner will have to make a formal identification.

“Unfortunately, the body of one person was found in the passenger seat (...) An investigation has been launched to determine the causes and circumstances of this tragic fire,” said Sûreté du Québec (SQ) spokesperson Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau. “A fire scene technician, a re-enactor and investigators from the Sûreté du Québec were on site to carry out some forensic examinations.”

The cause of the fire was still unknown, but it appeared to be accidental.

The investigation continued well into the night.

“According to preliminary information, as of Saturday morning, the fire does not appear to be suspicious or arson-related. There will still be a mechanical examination of the vehicle,” the SQ spokesperson said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 8, 2025.