A fire that authorities are treating as suspicious destroyed Saint-Simon Church, known as the largest wooden church in New Brunswick, on the Acadian Peninsula early Monday morning. The Caraquet Fire Department received a call about a fire alarm at 3:30 a.m. in the Saint-Simon community, prompting their response.
Chief Luc Dugas expressed concern as the fire alarm location had no previous issues of false alarms. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Office of the Fire Marshal are now conducting an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as suspicious.
Chief Dugas indicated that the fire’s origin seemed suspicious, especially given the location where it started. Motion detectors inside the church detected movement around 3:20 a.m., and by the time firefighters arrived, the flames had already spread.
The historic Saint-Simon Church, constructed over a century ago in what is now part of the Municipality of Caraquet, was a central gathering place for the community. The destruction of the church has deeply saddened residents, with many recalling significant life events that took place within its walls.
Caraquet Mayor Bernard Theriault lamented the loss of the church, emphasizing its importance in the community despite a declining population. The mayor highlighted the community’s efforts to maintain the church’s integrity and its recent use for cultural events.
The fire, challenging to extinguish due to its intensity, also caused damage to neighboring residences. While the church was insured, discussions about potential reconstruction are premature as the focus remains on supporting the affected community.
The destruction of Saint-Simon Church marks another tragic loss of a significant historical building in the region, following a similar incident in Bas-Caraquet a decade ago. Local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the path forward for rebuilding the cherished community landmark.
