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.
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.