5-alarm fire forces evacuation of Montreal home for women at risk
About 150 Montreal firefighters put out a blaze at a home for women at risk in the Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie borough.
The fire broke out shortly before 9 a.m. at the Maison Marguerite, a non-profit organization that offers permanent and temporary housing for women at risk.
The building on the corner of de Bellchasse and Lanaudiere streets was under renovation, and 37 women are now under the care of the Red Cross.
One woman's first instinct was to rescue her cat, Charlie.
"I panicked at first because I couldn't find him, but thankfully, got him out," said Mika Merisier.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital after injuring his ankle.
Some residents woke up to the blaring fire alarm.
"Employees woke, everyone up immediately, and everyone got out quickly," said resident Asima Benabdellah.
The fire spread to the second storey by mid-morning and then to the roof.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze that started on the first floor.
The building is now uninhabitable, according to the fire department.
Maison Marguerite has been helping women for more than 45 years.
"They're very kind, they give advice [and] they help us a lot," said Merisier.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
Oilers advance to Stanley Cup final by beating Stars in Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
'Rotten rock': Climate change altering the face of Canadian mountaineering
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Driver missing after vehicle plunges into the Riviere-des-Prairies between Montreal and Laval
Emergency response crews are on the scene Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged into the Riviere des Prairies in Montreal.