Arson squad investigating Saturday-night fire in downtown Montreal
Montreal firefighters responded to a large fire overnight in an abandoned downtown commercial building.
Authorities issued their initial advisory of a "first-alarm" fire at Sainte-Catherine W St. and McGill College Ave. at around 11:40 p.m. Saturday.
That classification was soon updated to a "fourth-alarm" blaze at around 2 a.m., requiring about 105 firefighters and 31 vehicles.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the case has been turned over to the Montreal police arson squad.
Large flames and smoke were visible from blocks away. The fire began next door to Montreal's iconic, and now also vacant, "Super Sexe" club, which sustained some damage.
There were no reported injuries.
Firefighters remained on the scene Sunday morning to ensure the fire was out for good. Officials are asking people to avoid the area.
Another view of Saturday night's building fire on Sainte-Catherine St. and McGill College Av. in downtown Montreal (Image courtesy of Khaled Murywed)
Another view of Saturday night's building fire on Sainte-Catherine St. and McGill College Ave. in downtown Montreal (Image courtesy of Khaled Murywed)
'FURIOUS'
"It's been months that we've sounded the alarm to authorities to force the maintenance of buildings abandoned by speculators," Glenn Castanheira, general director of Montreal Centre-Ville, a non-profit responsible for commercial developement in the area, wrote to social media Sunday.
Both the building that caught fire and the old Super Sexe location are owned by the same person, according to William Murray, Prevention Section Chief for the Montreal firefighters.
"(I'm) furious," wrote Castanheira. "It is unacceptable that this practice is tolerated on the largest commercial artery in the country."
SECOND BURNT, ABANDONED BUILDING ON POLICE RADAR THIS WEEK
The Sainte-Catherine building is the second abandoned building the arson squad will be investigating this week.
On Friday, another large fire overtook an abandoned building on Sainte-Catherine and de la Visitation St. which had fallen into disrepair, according to Murray.
“There were a lot of holes inside the walls and ceiling,” Murray told CTV on Friday. “We don’t know on which floor the fire started, but it spread quickly.”
Residents of neighbouring apartment buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. There were no reported injuries.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.