City asking for donations after major fire in Dorval, Que.
Montreal firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze spanning two residential buildings in Dorval Saturday afternoon.
First responders were called to the corner of Dawson Avenue and Garden Crescent around 1 p.m. The caller said they saw smoke billowing from a balcony on the third floor.
Large plumes of smoke surround an apartment building blaze in Dorval, Que. Saturday afternoon. (CTV News)
The cause of the fire isn't yet known. Fire Division Chief Marie-Eve Beausoleil says balcony fires typically start because of barbeque issues and unextinguished cigarette butts.
Flames spread from the balcony to the roof, and then expanded to the roof of the neighbouring residential building.
About 20 minutes after authorities got the call, dispatchers elevated the urgency to the four-alarm catagory, and more than 100 firefighters descended on the blaze.
Firefighters evactuated 32 apartments between the two buildings. Seven residents sustained injuries due to smoke inhalation.
The Red Cross was on site to provide temporary housing to evacuees. Eighteen families were relocated.
Firefighters say preliminary information suggests the fire was not criminal.
CITY CALLING FOR DONATIONS
The City of Dorval has put a call out for donations, which can be made at 1335 Lakeshore Road at room S-020. The city is asking for the following items:\
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex
- Soap (adults and kids)
- Shampoo (adults and kids)
- Toothpaste(adult and kids)
- Toothbrushes(adult and kids)
- School supplies
- Diapers/wipes
- Canned food or anything nonperishable
The city said it will not be accepting furniture, or large bags of clothing, and that updated lists of what is needed will be posted on its social media accounts.
Firefighters survey the damage after a major building fire in Dorval. (Lauren Fernandez/CTV News)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Widow takes Ontario police to court over declaration misconduct in her husband's death was 'not serious'
A grieving widow is taking the Ontario Provincial Police to court as she challenges its decision to call the misconduct of an officer that contributed to her husband’s death 'not of a serious nature.'
Federal government to announce details of dental insurance plan
Several government ministers are expected to launch today a new federal dental insurance plan that will provide benefits directly to eligible Canadian residents, though the first claims won't be processed until May.
Year in search: What did Canadians Google in 2023?
From the Women's World Cup and Jeremy Renner to the Titan submersible, deadly earthquakes and the war in Gaza, Canadians searched far and wide on Google this year. These are the top queries in Canada for 2023.
Nearly half of Canadians think carbon tax is ineffective at fighting climate change: Nanos
A new survey has found that Canadians are feeling slightly more confident in the carbon tax’s effectiveness at combatting climate change than they were a few months ago—but uncertainty is still high.
Several seriously injured when construction site elevator crashes to the ground in Sweden
A construction site elevator plunged to the ground in Stockholm on Monday, seriously injuring five people, Swedish authorities said.
Israel battles militants in Gaza's main cities, with civilians trapped in the fighting
Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants in Gaza's two largest cities on Monday, with civilians still trapped in the fighting even after hundreds of thousands have fled to other parts of the besieged territory.
'Barbie' leads Golden Globe nominations with 9, followed closely by 'Oppenheimer'
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” dominated the Golden Globe Awards nominations with nine nods for the blockbuster film, including best picture musical or comedy as well as acting nominations for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and three of its original songs.
BlackBerry appoints new CEO
BlackBerry said on Monday it appointed John Giamatteo as CEO, effective immediately.
Buckingham Palace releases this year’s Christmas card
Buckingham Palace released an image of the Christmas card that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be sending out this year.