Gaz Métropolitain crews were called to Chinatown after the demolition of the fire-ravaged Édifice Robillard triggered a gas leak.
The façade of Édifice Robillard, which housed Canada’s first cinema, came tumbling down shortly before 5 a.m. Friday.
To onlookers it was unclear whether the collapse was planned or not.
But Montreal’s fire department told Global News, the demolition was planned.
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Some 90 residents in the area are without power, a common occurrence following gas leaks. Hydro-Quebec expects service to resume by 7 p.m. Friday.
The gas leak was quickly capped and demolition was expected to continue Friday morning.
The building sustained heavy structural damage after a fire tore through the 19th century building on Thursday.
READ MORE: Fire rages through Canada’s first cinema in Montreal’s Chinatown
The building was deemed too unstable for Montreal police arson squad investigators to enter.
WATCH BELOW: Chinatown fire destroys historic building
The blaze broke out around 11:15 a.m. in the historic building located on 974 St-Laurent Boulevard, between de la Gauchetière and Viger streets.
It took over 100 firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control.
A safety perimeter has been put in place.
Viger Street is closed between de Bullion and St-Urbain streets and St-Laurent Boulevard is closed between St-Antoine Street and Réné-Levesque Boulevard.
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