A tragic fire has once again decimated harness racing industry participants as the plant shared by Brodeur Sulky and Pepin Harness in Terrebone, Quebec was consumed by a massive blaze on Friday.
Owner Fernand Brodeur told Journal La Revue that an employee of his opened a door to the plant on Friday morning and was encountered by thick black smudge, so he closed the door and called the fire department immediately.
"I was born there," said Brodeur, with tears in his eyes, "It was my father who left it in 1952."
With a location filled with hazardous materials, more than 70 firefighters were called into action from locations around Terrebonne including Mascouche, Repentigny and Blainville. Jacques Bérubé of the Terrebonne Fire Dept. noted that when they were able to get inside, 50 per cent of the building was engulfed. He wouldn't say if the building was a total loss and no cause has been determined.
When do these fires end? Barn
When do these fires end? Barn after barn and now Brodeur's building in Quebec. Very ironic as Fernand has always contributed to every charity event in our industry. Hoping he has the heart to rebuild, Brodeur is probably one of the oldest and most respected names in our industry.