Chimney fire in North Hatley contained
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A tragic and busy day for local fire crews unfolded on Jan. 16, as a man in his 60s died after falling through thin ice on Lake Memphremagog near Fitch Bay. Later that afternoon, firefighters responded to a chimney fire in North Hatley, underlining the critical importance of winter safety.
Fatal incident on Lake Memphremagog
At approximately 11:50 a.m., emergency services were called to Lake Memphremagog after a man was reported to have fallen through the ice. His family, concerned when they could not reach him, alerted authorities, who arrived roughly 15 minutes later.
According to Stanstead Township Fire Battalion Chief Brian Wharry who led the recovery, the call involved teams from Station 2 in Fitch Bay and Station 3 in Ayer’s Cliff. Using a Polar 75 rescue boat and ropes, the certified ice water rescue team reached the man, who was unconscious by the time firefighters arrived. “The rescue operation was carried out under very challenging conditions due to the thin ice,” Wharry said in an interview the same day.
Despite the team’s rapid response, the man was eventually pronounced deceased. On Jan. 17, Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Laurie Avoine confirmed the cause of death as hypothermia. Wharry noted that the ice was only a few inches thick where the man fell, adding, “We are seeing more freeze-thaw cycles, which result in weaker ice that is far less predictable.”
Dany Brus, director of Régie Incendie Memphrémagog Est, emphasized in an earlier conversation that knowledge of local ice conditions is essential for safety. “You need to know the lake,” he said. “Some areas may look safe but can be dangerously thin.” Brus also stressed the importance of safety measures, such as carrying ice picks and checking ice thickness before venturing out.