Four people were taken to hospital following a fire in a three-storey apartment building on Francoeur Street in Lasalle early Wednesday morning.
Three of the victims, including one police officer, were being treated for smoke inhalation.
The fourth victim, a 61-year-old woman, was injured after jumping off her second-floor balcony before the arrival of firefighters. The extent of her injuries is not known.
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While the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, Sylvain Legros, chief of operations with the Montreal fire department, told Global News the blaze started in the building’s electrical room located in the basement.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 1:15 a.m.
About 50 firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze.
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Legros said the 28-unit building was evacuated and ladders were used to help three residents who had taken refuge from the thick smoke on their balconies.
Damage to the building is estimated at $50,000.
Legros said the fire was limited to the electrical room, but dense smoke spread through the building.
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Residents will not be allowed to return home, as power to the building was cut off. No time frame was given as to when power might be restored.
The Red Cross is helping around 15 of 30 residents to relocate, while the remainder said they would find their own accommodations.
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