One dead after fire under Longueuil abandoned restaurant balcony

Longueuil police (SPAL) say one person is dead after a fire in front of an abandoned building on Montreal’s South Shore Saturday night.

Police and firefighters were called just before 11 p.m. to Saint-Charles Street West, where a fire broke out under the balcony of the former Messina restaurant.

A body was found on site. The victim has yet to be identified, police say.

An investigation is ongoing.

Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier reacted on social media and suggested that the person may have been homeless and could have started the fire to stay warm.

These details were not confirmed by the SPAL, who only said the death was accidental.

“It is terrible to learn of the death of one of our fellow citizens. It is all the more upsetting when we know that this tragedy could have been avoided,” she wrote.

She added it’s important to ensure psychosocial and fire prevention teams are aware of makeshift shelters and encampments to keep them safe.

Saint-Charles Street West was temporarily closed to traffic between Saint-Jean and Saint-Sylvestre streets.