Advertisement

Two arson attacks torch 4 more Montreal-area vehicles early Friday

Click to play video: 'Montreal police investigating over 12 cases of suspected arson in one week'
Montreal police investigating over 12 cases of suspected arson in one week
WATCH: Four torched vehicles were found early Friday morning in Montreal's east end. This continues a disturbing trend in the city, with more than a dozen suspected arsons under investigation this week alone. Global's Brayden Jagger Haines reports – Apr 28, 2023

Continuing a disturbing trend, four more vehicles were set ablaze on the island of Montreal early Friday.

At around 2:45 a.m., firefighters responded to a call reporting a burning car in the private driveway of a home on Gouin Boulevard and 6th Avenue in Rivière-des-Prairies.

The blaze was quickly brought under control before the fire could spread.

Traces of accelerant were found at the scene.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

A short time later, at 3:30 a.m., three cars parked in the same driveway on Pierre-Blanchet Avenue near 4th Avenue, also in RPD, were set on fire. Firefighters were able to contain that blaze before it spread.

There were no reported injuries and no suspects have been identified in either attack.

Given the proximity of these two fires, police say there could be a link. In just one week, 16 vehicles have been torched in the Montreal area, including two school buses. Police say they are looking at several scenarios, and are not ruling out a link to organized crime.

Story continues below advertisement

“We have investigators working really hard on those cases from the last five days, they are gathering all the information to see if those cases are linked together. We are looking at surveillance cameras,” says SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant.

Police confirm that they have stepped up patrols in previously targeted areas, including Montreal North, RDP, and Saint-Léonard.

The arson squad has taken over the investigation of these two latest fires.

Sponsored content

AdChoices