Hot spots and concern about the structure of a century-old church in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau are causing delays in the police investigation of a suspicious fire that reduced the church to rubble.
Investigators found a gas can near St-Paul's Roman Catholic Church at 61 rue du Couvent on Thursday. Police say there was also evidence the church was broken into.
A woman who lives in a nearby home evacuated by the blaze told CTV Ottawa she believes the gas can police are referring to was one found near her home.
"It's so hard to think that anybody would want to do this," said Diane Forgie.
She said her husband noticed a gas can left beside their backdoor when they were evacuated early Thursday morning.
"I keep picturing this gas can and the officer said, 'You know, they could have easily thought about maybe putting gas on your home,'" said Forgie.
Although six nearby homes were evacuated by the blaze, one family is still unable to return home.
Evacuated families say they're disappointed with how the City of Gatineau dealt with the situation.
Although Mayor Marc Bureau was at the scene to talk to reporters and parishioners on Thursday, evacuated families said no one from the city came by to ask how they were doing after the fire.
"We were told to get out at 2 a.m. and that's all we were told - 'Get out.' And that's all the contact we've had with the city or the workers," said Stella Parent.
"Why didn't they come and see us? What would it have taken the mayor to come down the street and see if we need help at that point?" added Dominque Renaud.
About 100 firefighters from Ottawa and Gatineau were called to battle the flames, which broke out just before 2 a.m. Thursday. No one was inside the church at the time of the incident.
A wedding that was planned at St-Paul's Catholic Church on Saturday has since moved to another location in Hull. The bride-to-be told CTV Ottawa she was shocked to learn what happened to the church.
"At the beginning, I was thinking it was a joke. But after, when I turned on the TV, I realized it was true, so I said 'What's going on, do I have to cancel everything?'" Isabelle Gosselin told CTV Ottawa.
"We finally realized maybe it's kind of a test to see if our marriage is really powerful."
Investigators say tips are continuing to pour in. Anyone with information can contact police at 819-243-2345, ext. 6007.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem