Suspected arson destroys St. Constant restaurant

Café d'ailleurs is engulfed in flames as a firefighter walks past on Aug. 5, 2015 (CTV Montreal/Cosmo Santamaria)

A restaurant in St. Constant was ravaged by a suspicious fire overnight.

The fire began at Café D'Ailleurs on Montée des Bouleaux at 4 a.m. and swiftly spread flames throughout the building.

Firefighters spent hours at the scene before they were able to get the fire under control and extinguish the flames.

Two nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution because two large propane tanks were located at the rear of the restaurant.

In the end nobody was hurt, and the fire was put out sometime after 7 a.m.

The heritage building was heavily damaged and is likely a total loss.

Once the flames were out, firefighters found evidence that led them to believe the fire was deliberately set.