Arson suspected after fire starts in residential building in east Montreal

A suspicious fire ignited in a residential building in Montreal’s Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.

A fire that ignited in a residential building in Montreal’s Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough early Monday morning is being treated as suspicious, according to Montreal police (SPVM).

The force says it received several 911 calls at 2 a.m. about the flames on de Bruxelles Street near Sainte-Claire Street.

“When the police arrived, the Montreal fire department was already on the scene to control the fire,” said Caroline Chèvrefils, a spokesperson with Montreal police.

She notes that no incendiary materials were found, and damage to the building is considered minor.

“Certain elements at the scene suggest the fire was of a criminal nature,” Chèvrefils said.

The investigation is ongoing.

The file has been transferred to the Montreal police arson squad.