'Literally raining fire': Dozens still displaced, one week after Hawkesbury highrise blaze

Dozens of people displaced by a fire that gutted their Hawkesbury, Ont., apartment building last weekend are still staying in hotels, unable to return to their homes.

The fire broke out in the late-night hours of Nov. 29 at a highrise at 810 Portelance Ave. No one was seriously injured, but Ontario Provincial Police say it's considered suspicious and being investigated as arson.

The past week has been "brutal," said Stanley Smith, who lived in the apartment.

“You’re going from being in your comfortable home to 11:27 at night [when] all hell breaks loose,” he recalled Saturday from his hotel in the eastern Ontario town.

“When I came downstairs out of our building it was literally raining fire.”

All 30 of the building's units were affected by the fire, with 58 occupants taken into the care of the United Counties of Prescott-Russell's housing services, according to a statement from director of communications Olivier Berthiaume.

"No residents have been able to return to the building, which is still considered unsafe at this time," Berthiaume wrote.

“We are currently working with all our community partners to continue supporting tenants, including by providing temporary housing solutions and relocation services.”

The Canadian Red Cross said it's providing food, clothing, transportation, and personal services to more than 25 households.

"It is always a tragedy for everyone. And the community really rallies together," said Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre.

Donations being sought

For Mijanoue Lamarre, the fire "hit close to home."

Lamarre used to live in the apartment complex. She's been collecting clothing, food, baby formula and other goods for the displaced residents.

With the holiday season approaching, she's also been accepting donations of toys.

"There are a lot of children who have lost all of their Christmas presents," she said.

As for Smith, he said his mind is on his five-year-old tabby Ivy, who was left behind in the rush to escape the fire.

He said the good news is there are signs she's still alive amid the building's burned-out shell.

"Anybody who owns pets, they know they're just like their kids," he said. "We're going to try and trap her, and then the moment we got her, she's going directly to the vet to get completely checked out."