A tragic incident unfolded in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal as a devastating fire claimed the life of a 77-year-old individual. The incident, which occurred at around 4:50 a.m. on Sept. 21, saw a three-storey residential and commercial building on Mont-Royal Avenue East and Saint-André Street engulfed in flames.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where the senior was rescued and transported to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, despite medical efforts, the victim succumbed to their injuries.
Over 150 firefighters worked tirelessly to battle the blaze, which was finally extinguished around 8:30 a.m. Following the incident, the Montreal police arson squad took over the investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
In a troubling development, a 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the fire tragedy. The suspect made an appearance in court, facing charges of arson endangering human life. Reports suggest that the individual, who is part of the unhoused community, allegedly started the fire near a business in an attempt to stay warm. However, the fire quickly spiraled out of control, spreading to the upper floors of the building where apartments were located.
The suspect has a history with law enforcement, having been involved in previous incidents of mischief and breaking and entering. As the community mourns the loss of the victim and grapples with the aftermath of the fire, the investigation continues to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
