At least 8 houses catch fire in Tmiscaming

At least eight houses caught fire in Tmiscaming, in the Abitibi-Tmiscamingue region of Quebec, before noon Sunday.

The fire on Anvik Street affected at least eight homes. Another 10 were evacuated.

No one was seriously injured, but some people who had inhaled smoke went to the Centre Multiservices de Sant et de Services Sociaux de Tmiscaming-Kipawa, a nearby health centre.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. It happened on a street where the residences are very close together, which accelerated the fire.

"The heat doesn't help us," said Temiscaming fire Chief Pierre Blanger. "All these building are over 80-years-old. They're stuck together, so we didn't have much access."

Forty firefighters from the Temiscaming, Ville-Marie and Kebaowek fire departments were called to fight the fire.

The Red Cross is inviting people who were evacuated to go to Le Centre, a sports complex on Humphrey Street.

The city has opened an emergency response station to accommodate those affected by the fire.A call to collect clothing, blankets and other personal products for the victims was also put out.

A watering ban and boil water advisory were also issued to residents.