Dry rot fungus attacks Rimouski couple's home

A dry rot fungus has spread so quickly through a young couple's home in Rimouski that the only solution is to demolish it completely.

In June 2014, MaximeBoivin and his partnerMarie-Hlne Cauchondecided to undergo renovations in their home before the birth of their first child.

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That's when Boivinspotted white spots in the crawl space of his home's foundation. He called a specialized laboratory to test what'd he found and was shocked to find out it was a type of dry rot known as serpula lacrymans.

The fungus had spread so much throughout the home that the couple decided to leave.

"I decided we had to evacuate the home," said Boivin.

"It became dangerous for the baby.Other molds typically come with dry rot. All together, it was like a toxic cocktail."

The couple is not sure how to move forward. Their insurance company refused their claim and the province has denied any request for aid.

They continue to be saddled with mortgage bills for a home they can't live in.

"Everybody is claiming not to be responsible," Boivin said.

"But I'm the one who bought a house that was turnkey with a brand new foundation and all the receipts on hand."

The government has forbidden them to burn the home, in fear the fungus will spread. Instead, they'll have to have it demolished, which comes with a price tag of $50,000.

More and more cases of dry rot in Quebec

Biochemist and air quality expert Patrick Champagne says that dry rotis common in Europe but has spread more and more in Quebec.

He used to treat only one or two cases a year. Now, he's doing the same amount of treatment but per month.

According to Champagne, who inspected the couple's crawl space, the dry rot has found the perfect conditions: darkness, moisture, humidity and a lack of ventilation.