17 retirement home residents relocated after fire in Wakefield

Published Oct 12, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 1 minute read

La Pêche fire department Photo by La Pêche fire service supplied

The Outaouais regional health authority said Thursday that 17 residents of a Wakefield retirement home had successfully been moved to other facilities in the region.

A fire occurred Wednesday morning at the Résidence de Wakefield at 775 Riverside Dr.

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The La Pêche fire department said an electrical fire broke out in a laundry room at about 9:30 a.m. Firefighters were able to control the fire, but had to return in the afternoon after alarms signalled heavy smoke was circulating in the building.

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All residents were evacuated from the building without injury, local reports said.

Residents of three of the home’s four units were able to return to their rooms. However, one ward will require further cleaning due to extensive smoke damage.

The regional health authority took charge of 17 residents, the CISSS de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) said in a release Thursday.

Fourteen residents have been moved to Maniwaki Hospital for the time being, while three others have moved to area nursing homes.

“The period of relocation is currently undetermined,” the CISSS de l’Outaouais said. “But we remain committed to ensuring the comfort and well-being of residents throughout this period.”