Charges laid after 77-year-old man killed in Plateau residential fire

A fire broke out in a residential and commercial building on Mont-Royal Avenue early Sunday morning, injuring a 77-year-old man. (Ken Dowe/CTV News)

A man was arrested in connection with a residential fire that killed a 77-year-old in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough Sunday.

Brandon Gagne, 28, was charged with intentionally or recklessly causing property damage by fire or explosion, knowing or not caring that the unit was inhabited or occupied.

He was also charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Gagne’s relationship with the victim, 77-year-old Paul Thibideau, is unclear.

He first appeared in court Monday and was back at the Montreal courthouse Wednesday for bail.

Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions did not confirm when his next court appearance will be.

Early Sunday morning, a three-storey commercial and residential unit with a loan agency and two homes was ravaged by flames.

It took the Montreal fire department (SIM) 50 trucks and 150 firefighters to put out the blaze.

According to the SIM, the fire started on the top floor. A man inside was transported to hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The fire spread and damaged neighbouring buildings, forcing three families to relocate.