A fire believed to be intentional destroyed the historic Saint-Simon Church, known as the largest wooden church in New Brunswick, on the Acadian Peninsula early Monday morning. Firefighters were alerted to the fire alarm at 3:30 a.m. in the Saint-Simon community. Chief Luc Dugas of the Caraquet Fire Department mentioned having a premonition about the situation, as the alarm had never caused issues before.
Authorities confirmed that the fire is being investigated by both the RCMP and the Office of the Fire Marshal. According to Sgt. Sylvain Bergeron, the RCMP is treating the incident as suspicious due to the location where the fire originated. Motion detectors identified movement within the church at around 3:20 a.m., with the flames quickly spreading throughout the building.
The loss of the Saint-Simon Church, constructed over a century ago and a central hub for the community, has deeply saddened residents. Monique Albert Léger, a local resident, expressed her heartbreak upon witnessing the destruction, recalling personal milestones within the church. The Mayor of Caraquet, Bernard Theriault, described the church as a significant architectural and cultural asset, highlighting its role in community life and recent usage for various events.
The fire, challenging to combat due to the intense heat and structural difficulties, also caused damage to neighboring homes. Despite the church being insured, discussions about potential reconstruction are premature. The Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst emphasized the importance of community support and solidarity in the aftermath of the tragedy. Plans for a new church in the area are being considered to address the community’s needs following this devastating event.