MONTREAL - Arsonists struck two St. Michel businesses early Wednesday morning, trying to set fire to the shops, part of a rash of recent firebombings.
"At 3:30, witnesses saw the beginning of a fire in a fruit and vegetable market on Belanger St. near 12th Ave," said Constable Daniel Lacoursiere.
Firefighters arrived to find a smashed window and flames throughout the store.
Apartments above the store were evacuated as the fire was doused.
Meanwhile after dealing with the immediate danger, emergency crews noticed that someone had attacked a second business just a few doors down.
There, too, someone had smashed the front window and thrown a Molotov cocktail inside, but this fire did not spread.
The arson squad is investigating, but as of yet has no suspects.
Both businesses are owned by the same person, who said in interviews that he does not know why his stores were attacked.
Fiery history
On Monday arsonists made their second attempt to burn an Italian café in Riviere des Prairies, but the sprinkler system worked, limiting the damage.
A Montreal North hair salon and a Park Extension restaurant were torched over the weekend.
Arsonists have attacked dozens of cafés and stores across Montreal since the spring.
