Advertisement

Montreal police say Christmas Eve basilica fire not arson, investigation shows cause was electrical

Click to play video: 'Montreal police say Christmas Eve basilica fire not arson'
Montreal police say Christmas Eve basilica fire not arson
WATCH: Montreal police began an investigation into the early morning fire at the Notre-Dame Basilica after firefighters found what they believed were traces of accelerant. Authorities however determined the fire’s origin was electrical – Dec 24, 2023

Montreal police say an early morning fire on Christmas Eve outside the city’s Notre-Dame Basilica was not intentionally set.

Police spokeswoman Const. Veronique Dubuc says arson investigators were at the scene on Sunday and determined the fire’s origin was electrical.

Police began an investigation after firefighters found what they believed were traces of accelerant.

A construction worker walks through the scene at the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, after a fire at the historic site. Police say arson investigators were at the scene this morning and determined the fire’s origin was electrical. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Firefighters were called to the historic church in Old Montreal around 2:30 a.m. after a fire began on a construction scaffold being used for renovation work on the building’s exterior.

Story continues below advertisement

Police say there was no damage to the building, which is a national historic site.

Christmas masses at the basilica are scheduled to go ahead as planned.

Sponsored content

AdChoices