The Montreal police arson squad is investigating after several cars were torched overnight in St. Henri.
Police received a call at 3:45 a.m. Friday about two cars ablaze on Lea-Roback St. near Beaudoin St., near the Lachine Canal.
Two more cars close to those vehicles also caught fire and burned out.
This car belongs to a resident's boyfriend. I asked why this happened "it's #StHenri we're not allowed to have nice things."@CTVMontreal pic.twitter.com/pQyoM2aPz4
— Kelly Greig (@KellyGreig) July 14, 2017
Firefighters were able to control the fires.
The arson squad collected evidence and interviewed the owners of the cars, as they believe it was a criminal act.
A man was spotted near the vehicles shortly before they caught fire, though police have no description of the suspect.
One woman said vandalism and destruction of property in St. Henri is a common occurrance -- saying some people seem unable to cope with the changing nature of the neighbourhood.
"They make something nice and then the next day they graffiti it or something," said Sylvie Lavoie. "They think we're rich. We're not. We just work hard."
Store and restaurant owners in St. Henri have frequently complained about graffiti and other vandalism, with recent notable targets including a butcher shop, a restaurant, and even a community fridge.
