On Thursday January 23rd, a tragic fire struck L'Isie-Verte's senior living home killing 32 victims in all. The 3 story wooden building was mostly destroyed. The building consisted of two sections, one having been built in 1997 and the other was built in 2001.

The section that was built in 1997 was destroyed and the 2001 section was left mostly intact. The building housed up to 62 people with 52 people living there at the time of the fire. According to staff 37 of the residents are older than 85.

As of Saturday morning February 1st, there were 8 victims still missing due to ice covering a portion of the search area. The search came to a halt Friday after search crews uncovered possible clues and evidence of what may have started the fire. Authorities summoned a judge for a warrant Friday so that any clues or evidence found could be used in court if criminal charges are filed.

Early Saturday morning the suspension was lifted and the crew of 50 workers an electrician and a chemist continue the search for the missing 8 victims and evidence of what caused the tragedy. A commemorative Roman Catholic mass was held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the L'Isie-Verte town church. Media coverage for the mass was limited out of respect to the families impacted by this tragedy.

A Vatican official said that Pope Francis was deeply moved after hearing about the tragedy and gave a special blessing to the L'Isie-Verte community.