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
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 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.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
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.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.