MONTREAL — Montreal police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that claimed the lives of seven people.
Police say they arrested the owner of the building who is facing 15 charges, including seven for manslaughter and eight for criminal negligence.
The arrest of Emile Benamor, 63, comes days after the third anniversary of the March 16, 2023 blaze at the heritage property at Place D’Youville.
Montreal Police Chief-Insp. David Shane said at a news conference that the allegations against Benamor were related to the state of the building and how it was being managed.
“We’re not accusing him of having (started) the fire,” Shane told reporters at Montreal Police headquarters.
Shane also said police were not accusing Benamor of having instructed someone else to start the fire.
Police had opened a criminal investigation into the blaze after saying that they had found traces of an accelerant at the scene.
Of the seven victims, six were staying in illegal short-term rentals in the building built in 1890.
The police allegations have not been tested in court.
Shane said police continue to pursue a separate arson investigation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.
The Canadian Press
