Early dis morning, Friday, October 4, 2024, fire burst out for one century-old building near Montreal‘s City Hall, and e don claim two lives already. The fire happen for 400 Notre-Dame St. East, close to Bonsecours Street in Old Montreal.
The building, wey be four-storey, get one wine bar on the ground floor and apartment units on the other floors. Firefighters receive call around 2:30 a.m. and dem issue fourth and fifth alarms as the fire spread quickly.
Amanda Kozutsky, one of the people wey dey stay in the building, talk say she wake up by fire alarm and she no fit carry any of her things before she run out. She post on X say all her belongings burn in the fire.
Montreal police and fire department say the cause of the fire be suspicious, and dem dey investigate. About 125 firefighters and 50 trucks go to the scene to fight the fire. Smoke dey visible for several blocks in Old Montreal.
According to city property records, the building belong to Emile Benamor, who also own another heritage building on Place D’Youville that burn down in March 2023, killing seven people. That fire also be deemed criminal by Montreal police.
Multiple dwellings around the area dey evacuated, and Red Cross dey care for those wey lose their homes. One person dey hospital in critical condition, and two others treat for shock on the scene.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante send condolences on X, saying her thoughts dey with the victims and those affected by the fire.
