L'Isle-Verte fire victims remembered at service

CTV Montreal: Dignitaries, families mourn victims The L'Isle Verte victims were mourned at a solemn ceremony Saturday, Max Harrold reports.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the entire country is mourning the victims of the L'Isle-Verte seniors’ home fire.

Harper was one of several dignitaries who attended a public service in the small Quebec community on Saturday morning.

On Sunday afternoon officials released the name of the 10th identified victim of the blaze, Adrienne Dubé, who was 99 years old.

"I think it's something that everybody could identify with," Harper told reporters following the service. "We all have, or have had parents, grandparents, who become elderly and are terribly vulnerable. And we see something like this and I think it just breaks the heart of everybody.

"I do hope that the community here will take a little bit of comfort from the thoughts and the prayers that they have from people all over the country," he continued.

Approximately 900 mourners filed into Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church Saturday to honour the victims of the tragic fire, which struck the Residence du Havre seniors’ home on Jan. 23.

Photos of the 32 victims were on display at the mass, along with paramedic, fire and police hats.

"Looking at all these images we see in the newspapers and on television, we're saying they are heroes," Archbishop Pierre-Andre Fournier said of the first responders, before the audience broke into applause.

An empty rocking chair was displayed at the front of the church as a symbol of those who died in the fire.

"It is difficult for you and I to realize what happened and what we're going through," Fournier told the congregation. "Thirty-two members of our Christian community have left us tragically."

Other dignitaries who attended the service included Gov. Gen David Johnston, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

The mayor of Lac-Magentic, the small Quebec town that also suffered a fiery tragedy this past summer due to a deadly train derailment, was also in attendance.

Johnston said the spirit of the L'Isle-Verte community was very apparent.

"I do want to salute the many people who have shown their remarkable care and compassion," Johnston said, describing the first responders in the community as "extraordinary citizens."

"This touches the hearts of all of us, and our hearts are with the people here," he added.

Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue at the fire site, where the extreme cold and ice build-up have slowed progress.

Twenty-four bodies have been recovered from the scene and officials say eight individuals are still missing and presumed dead.