Feu Bicolline was hit by a major blaze late Thursday night in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Mauricie, with emergency calls launched at 22: 43 ET and flames already overtaking several medieval-style buildings on arrival. At least five structures were fully involved when firefighters reached the site, and the first crews immediately focused on stopping the fire from spreading further. The organization later said the situation was under control and that there was no danger to public safety.
Firefighters Arrive to a Fast-Moving Scene
Dave Carrier, director of the Régie incendie de la MRC de Maskinongé, asked for an autopompe from Shawinigan as soon as the call came in. By the time crews arrived, the fire had already reached a level where saving the first buildings was no longer possible. Carrier said the main objective shifted at once to protecting nearby structures, because the site’s wooden buildings sit very close together.
He described the danger as immediate and severe. The first hoses laid on the ground burned under the heat, while a thick column of smoke, tinted amber and red, rose over the village. Explosions were also heard during the blaze. A second alarm was raised, and once Carrier reached the site he ordered a general alarm.
Mass Evacuation and a Large Fire Response
A mass evacuation was ordered as crews arrived, though several people were already farther away on the site where a gathering was taking place. No injuries were reported. More than 40 firefighters were mobilized, including personnel from several stations in the MRC de Maskinongé, along with teams from Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, Shawinigan, and later a tanker truck from Trois-Rivières.
Firefighters worked continuously to wet nearby buildings and keep the flames from jumping to the next row of structures. The challenge was not only the intensity of the fire, but also the limited water supply. Carrier said eight or nine tankers were shuttling water nonstop, filling near the river close to Mont SM.
What the Blaze Means for the Site
The damaged chalets are more than buildings at Bicolline; they are part of the setting used for live-action games and also serve as shelter for participants who have invested time and money into the site. Even with the losses, Carrier said the response helped avoid a far worse outcome. He pointed to the risk of the fire spreading across the road and toward propane tanks located nearby.
Olivier Renard, the owner of Bicolline, was still absorbing the impact at the main chalet as the night unfolded. The organization said the incident involved a fire start and that the situation was controlled.
Fire Under Control, Damage Still Being Assessed
Feu Bicolline was brought under control overnight, but the damage was already done to multiple medieval-style buildings. The village’s tight layout and wooden construction made the response especially urgent, and firefighters had to work under extreme heat and limited water pressure. The next step will be a clearer assessment of what was lost and which surrounding buildings, if any, were still affected after the fire.
For now, the most immediate fact is that Feu Bicolline survived the night without injuries, even as firefighters and organizers faced a scene of heavy losses, rapid spread, and a difficult battle to keep the blaze from becoming much larger.
