A major five-alarm five in Old Montreal sent nine people to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries early Thursday, while at least one person remains missing.
Urgences-santé said a total of 11 people were evaluated at the scene. While nine were taken to hospital, two reportedly refused further medical care.
The Montreal fire department confirmed that at least one person has yet to be found as of noon. Authorities first responded to the blaze around 6 a.m. at a three-storey heritage building on du Port Street near Place d’Youville. The building is adjacent to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
The mixed-use building houses offices on the bottom, while there are apartments on the upper floors. In total, 130 firefighters responded to keep the blaze from spreading and the fire department said it is not yet clear how many people live there.
High flames could be seen emerging from windows on lower floors of the building, while large plumes of smoke remained visible on the outskirts of downtown Montreal by mid morning.
Road closures in Old Montreal created a difficult morning commute for local residents. The blaze forced power to be cut in the area too, according to firefighters.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante urged people to avoid the area, saying firefighters were hard at work to bring the fire under control.
The fire department said it is too early to determine the cause of the fire.
Nearly three hours later at around 9 a.m., firefighters reported the blaze was under control.
— with files from Global News’ Dan Spector and The Canadian Press
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