West Island community rallies behind hero dad who ran into burning building to save neighbours

The West Island community is rallying behind a father who is fighting for his life in a medically-induced coma.

The West Island community is rallying around a man who is fighting for his life in hospital.

When a fire broke out in his apartment, Paul-Henri Sylvain made sure his neighbours got to safety but was seriously injured himself.

It’s difficult to keep a sense of normalcy at home but Claude Laurence Belisle is trying her best as she waits for health updates on her daughter’s father.

“We’re coping. It’s very hard. I tried to go to the hospital every two days. His mother goes every day,” said Laurence, Sylvain’s former partner.

In the early morning hours of Nov. 15, woke to fire in his home in Lachine. Belisle says neighbours told her he ran to each door to ensure everyone got out safely before running back inside.

“I knew right away when I was told all the burns that he had, I said immediately, I’m sure he went back into the building and tried to stop the fire himself. Like, that’s the kind of person he is. He doesn’t want people to to suffer,” Belisle said.

Sylvain was rushed to hospital and remains in a medically-induced coma.

“They’re working on healing his lungs. And his trachea and his larynx are the most affected. He has been burnt on 25 per cent of his body as well,” she said.

It’s been especially hard on his nine-year-old daughter, Eva.

“I am sad. I miss my dad. And I hope he comes back really soon as possible,” she said.

Sylvain manages Buzzfit, a popular gym in Kirkland. But Belisle says when he wakes up the normally fit father has a long road of physical rehabilitation ahead.

She started a GoFundMe campaign for her former partner that has raised more than $22,000, adding that a West Island charity is also chipping in support.

“The outpouring from the community has been incredible. Like, really, really incredible,” Belisle said.

Belisle says she hopes the contributions will help Sylvain rebuild his life and focus on healing so he can get back to what matters most.

“She loves her dad so much, and he loves her so much. So that’s the most important thing. I want him to heal, to come back to her,” his former partner said.