Montreal police say undetermined number of people died in building fire, 3 injured

By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press on October 4, 2024.

Montreal police say an undetermined number of people have died after a major fire broke out early this morning in a century-old building in the city’s historic district.

Insp. David Shane says police can’t confirm the number of people who are dead or identify them, only saying “we expect deaths.”

He says three people were hurt, one of whom was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A fire started on the ground floor of the building around 2:40 a.m. and quickly spread to the second and third floors.

Police say the origin of the fire is suspicious and they have taken over the investigation from the fire department.

Property records show that the Notre-Dame Street East building is owned by Emile Benamor – the same owner of a heritage building nearby that was ravaged by fire in March 2023, leading to the deaths of seven people.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.

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