Former NFLer Laurent Duvernay-Taridif reacts as his Montreal business goes up in flames
A fire has caused significant damage to the pastry lab of Pain dans les Voiles, a bakery chain co-owned by former NFL player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. The incident, which occurred on March 30, has disrupted operations at the facility that produces croissants for all the bakery's locations.
In an Instagram video shared on March 31, Duvernay-Tardif updated the public, saying, "Today's not a very joyful day for Pain dans les Voiles." He reassured customers that no one was injured in the fire, adding, "That's the good news. It’s still a difficult situation for the team, but we'll adapt and find solutions."
The Mont-Saint-Hilaire native expressed the intention to keep moving forward, saying, "We'll roll up our sleeves and keep working."
The fire began on Sunday afternoon at the lab located on rue du Creusot in Saint-Léonard. Montreal's fire service (SIM) reported that the fire was fully under control by 9:10 AM on March 31, after four alarms had been triggered during the response.
Despite the damage, all four Pain dans les Voiles locations remain open. The bakery assured customers via Instagram, saying, "Our team is here to answer your questions," and confirmed they are continuing normal operations during this challenging time.
Duvernay-Tardif also expressed his gratitude to the firefighters who battled the blaze, stating, “If it weren't for you, everything would've been lost. Thank you.”
The 34-year-old shared another video on Monday, detailing some of the property's damage.
The first Pain dans les Voiles bakery was opened by Duvernay-Tardif’s parents in 2009. The artisanal bakery later expanded with locations in Montreal and Saint-Bruno. Duvernay-Tardif took over the business from his parents in 2021 and, according to Noovo Info, is a shareholder in the parent company.
Before venturing into the bakery business, Duvernay-Tardif was known for his career as an offensive lineman in the NFL. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs and was part of the team that won Super Bowl LIV in 2020. Duvernay-Tardif is also a trained physician, having completed his medical degree at McGill University while playing professional football.
He retired from the NFL in 2023.
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