Fire badly damaged two adjoining duplexes on the north side of Montreal.
The fire began shortly before 4 a.m. at 6880 St. Valier St., just south of Belanger St.
Fire chief Denis Deschamps said the fire began on the second floor balcony of one duplex and then flames spread throughout that building and a connecting home.
Nine people evacuated the six affected apartments although nobody was hurt.
The fire was under control by 6 a.m. and fully extinguished soon thereafter.
Damage is estimated as being at least $200,000 although it could be much higher. Deschamps estimated that one building could be declared a total loss, with the second having very heavy damage.
