On Wednesday, tenants affected by the building fire near the intersection of Saint-Michel Boulevard and Cremazie East Boulevard were still without access to their apartments and belongings. A fire tore through a 36-unit apartment in Saint-Michel on Monday. Red Cross spokesperson Donny Straub says the organization was quick to respond. “We’ve met with 34 families, which represented roughly 90 people that we’re assisting. So I think the majority of clients right now have been met,” he says. Residents were guaranteed resources, including lodging for the first three days. “We want to make sure that people have the essentials that are covered for the following days following a disaster. So whether it be hotel, clothing, you know, food assistance. We want to make sure that people have the time to make the appropriate arrangements,” Straub explains. It remains unclear when tenants will be allowed back. Inspectors tasked with assessing the structural damage say it will likely take some time to repair. With some of the tenants being newcomers, they are turning to the city for support. In response to the incident, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said, “We’re going to be helping every family to make sure that everybody is relocated. And I spoke with the OMHM last night.” In a statement to CTV News, Montreal’s public housing authority, the OMHM, said “our team is currently collaborating with the Red Cross, and we are in the process of securing and reserving the necessary accommodation,” adding “no one will be left on the street.” “We are doing referrals as we are meeting with each family to see what are their specific needs and what are the local organizations that could actually support them,” Straub told CTV News.
