Deadly fire in Otterburn Park kills survivor of CIL explosion

CTV Montreal: Otterburn Park resident not twice The life of a man who narrowly escaped death in an early episode was tragically claimed by fire, Cindy Sherwin reports.

One person has died after a housefire broke out in Otterburn Park.

A jogger running on Comtois St. near Mountainview St. spotted flames coming from the building around 4:45 a.m. and immediately notified the local volunteer fire department.

Firefighters battled the flames but were not able to save the building. When they finally extinguished the flames and searched the building they discovered a body.

The victim has been identified as Richard Auclair, a survivor of the CIL plant fire in McMasterville in 1988

In that explosion, which killed four of his co-workers, Auclair suffered burns to 80 percent of his body and was never able to work again.

He underwent multiple surgeries but never fully recovered.

The cause of Thursday's fire is not known.

Friends and family say Auclair was a heavy smoker, and was in good spirits when they last saw him on Wednesday evening.

"I've known him for 30 years," said Rejean Valliere. "He was in the Optimist Club and we played together, hockey and things like that."

Auclair's brother lives on the same street, and was taken to hospital Thursday to be treated for shock.