Fatal fire in Montreal Airbnb now subject of criminal investigation

Montreal police say traces of "accelerant" were discovered at the scene of the fire in Old Montreal that left seven people dead on March 16.

It's a major development marking a turning point in the police investigation, which has been in progress for months. Montreal police Insp. David Shane confirmed Monday afternoon that investigators now confirm it was not accidental.

"We are now talking about a criminal investigation," said Shane, speaking from Montreal police headquarters. "Our investigators have identified an area where the fire began."

Shane refused to specify what kind of accelerant was found, nor did he provide the location where police believe the fire began -- only that investigators have ruled out any possibility that it started by accident. 

He also remained tight-lipped on how many, if any, suspects are being considered. He added it's too soon to name any possible charges which could be laid. "We cannot conduct the investigation in a public manner," he said.

Police could lay up to seven murder charges in this case, one for each victim, Shane confirmed. Charges will depend on the motives of anyone involved. 

Many of them were staying at an illegal Airbnb at the building on Place d'Youville. In total, 22 people were inside at the time of the fire. Apart from the seven who died, nine people were injured, and six emerged unhurt.

An investigation into the fire was initiated by the Montreal police (SPVM) arson squad. Explosives investigators are also involved. Shane asked anyone with information on the fire to communicate with police, adding that "no detail is too small."

Montreal police Insp. David Shane speaks to the media at a press conference in Montreal, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Police say the fire last March that killed seven people in a heritage building in Old Montreal has turned into a police investigation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

The youngest victims were teenagers Walid Belkahla and Charlie Lacroix, both aged 18.

Other victims included neuroscientist An Wu, 31, master's student Saniya Khan, 31, designer Dania Zafar, 31, Global Affairs Canada Fellow Nathan Sears, 35, and photographer Camille Maheux. All but Maheux were short-term renters.

In the hours after the fire, questions began to emerge about the building's safety. Charlie Lacroix made two calls to 911, saying she was trapped in a windowless room. 

• READ MORE: Seven lives lost: The victims of the Old Montreal fire

The fire led Quebec to change rules surrounding short-term rentals in the province. The building was a heritage site and Shane said the age, as well as the accelerant, could explain why the fire spread so quickly. 

Emile-Haim Benamor owns the building. His lawyer, Alexandre Bergevin, refused an interview with CTV News on Monday.

In a brief email, Bergevin welcomed the investigation, writing that the victims of the fire "deserve the truth."

Back in March, Bergevin told CTV News in a lengthy interview that the building was up to code.

Documents obtained by CTV News suggest the building had been flagged by city safety inspectors. Reports from the Montreal fire department provided to CTV through an Access to Information request described problems with fire alarms in the building.

Some survivors told CTV News they did not hear a fire alarm.

'DISBELIEF AND SHOCK': FORMER TENANT

Catherine Joyal, a former tenant of the building, said she was in a state of "disbelief and shock" when she learned police ruled out accidental causes.

"I always believed it was something electrical," she told CTV. "I thought that’s what the investigators thought as well. I guess they couldn’t reveal anything because the investigation was not public yet."

LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: CATHERINE JOYAL, a former tenant of the Old Montreal building that burned down and claimed the lives of 7 people

She expressed condolences to the victims' family members.

"I'm still trying to make sense of it. I could see how it could open a lot of wounds for families," she said. 

The Chief Coroner of Quebec has launched a public inquiry into the deaths of the seven victims following a request from the province's public safety minister. That investigation has been put on hold while police carry out their criminal investigation.