The arson squad is investigating after a three-alarm fire in an abandoned church in Montreal’s Ville-Marie borough.
Firefighters were called to the blaze on Fullum Street at around 9: 30 p.m. on Saturday.
WATCH: Painting of Jesus Christ survives fire that destroyed 150-year-old Massachusetts church
Christian Legault, chief of operations with the Montreal fire department said when firefighters arrived smoke could be seen coming out of the steeples.
Roughly an hour later, a third alarm was called, meaning around 80 firefighters were needed at the scene to bring the fire under control.
Legualt said the church had a dangerous building designation for firefighters, which made battling the blaze more complicated.
“There was a lot of smoke,” he said, adding it took about three hours to bring under control.
There were no reports of injury but two people living in the nearby presbytery were evacuated because of the smoke.
READ MORE: Hudson, Que., landmark up for sale as church congregation downsizes
- How caregiving impacts a generation of Canadians: ‘Unpaid work does not end’
- From 5K to a full marathon: The best way to train for a long run
- Some 2019 candidates ‘appeared willing’ to engage with foreign interference: Hogue inquiry
- Black youth face multiple barriers accessing mental health care, experts say
The file was transferred to the arson squad because firefighters believe the fire may have been started by squatters, who sometimes find shelter in the building.
“Maybe they started a fire to keep warm,” Chèvrefils said.
Legault added there was no electricity in the building.
While the cause of the blaze is under investigation, Chèvrefils said no incendiary devices were found on site.
Legault said it was difficult to estimate monetary damage as the building was in a state of disrepair.
He did mention, however, that a Casavant organ, said by the caretaker to be worth $1 million, was spared, although it may have some water damage.
Comments