Montreal police say it is too early to know how many people were inside a century-old building that caught fire in the city’s historic district, but officials say there are an undetermined number of fatalities.
Insp. David Shane says police can’t confirm the number of people who are dead or identify them, only saying “we expect deaths,” in an update in the afternoon.
The investigation was handed over to the police department’s major crimes division, which is working closely with the arson unit. Shane says the origin of the blaze is considered “suspicious,” but he could not provide more details.
Earlier in the day, police sources told Global News that two people died in the blaze in Old Montreal. Authorities would not publicly confirm those fatalities in their update.
Shane says two people were injured in the five-alarm blaze. One of them was taken to hospital.
“At this time, here is what we can confirm: several people managed to escape the building unharmed,” Shane said.
As of 2:30 p.m., firefighters were still battling the fire that broke out nearly 12 hours earlier. Police say several 911 calls were made around 2:40 a.m. about the blaze on Notre-Dame Street East near Bonsecours Street. More than 125 firefighters were called to the scene.
The fire started inside the ground-level restaurant, according to officials. The flames quickly climbed the three-storey building, which is also home to short-term rental apartments.
City of Montreal property records say the Notre-Dame Street East building was constructed in 1923 and is owned by Emile Benamor. He is also listed as the owner of a heritage building nearby that was ravaged by fire in March 2023, leading to the deaths of seven people.
A section of the structure partially collapsed during the fire, according to officials. A security perimetre was set up in the area and police have a command post on site.
Shane says a police hotline was also set up to help victims and their families, and are urging anyone who believes they had a loved one in the building at the time of the fire to contact them at 514 280-1294.
Meanwhile, Montreal’s public health department warned residents in the area about bad air quality from the fire. Anyone with symptoms was urged to call 811.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says the police investigation will shed light on the incident and thanked the fire department for their work.
“This is horrible news and I extended my deepest sympathies to all those affected,” she wrote on social media.
— with files from The Canadian Press