One dead after building with over 40 housing units destroyed by fire on Quebec's North Shore

One person has died after a building housing over 25 people on Quebec's North Shore was engulfed in flames Saturday morning.

Provincial police said Sunday that the body of one person was found in the wreckage of the fire in a Sept-Îles housing complex.

Patrick Gwilliam, the director general of Sept-Îles, said the fire first started around 9 p.m. Friday night, after which it was controlled quickly and safety checks were made.

But around 4 a.m. Saturday, firefighters were called back as the fire had spread to the entire building. 

The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation is open. 

The victims are currently being sheltered in the Centre sociorécréatif in Sept-Îles. 

The building contained 52 units, 40 of which were occupied, the city said. 

The whereabouts of three of the building's residents are still unknown. 

Provincial police and the city of Sept-Îles are asking all residents of 60 Père-Divet Street to head to the local Centre socio-récréatif or to call 340-4141.