Fire in Old Montreal leaves two dead, one critically injured: Radio-Canada

A major fire burning in Old Montreal has left two people dead and one person in critical condition, according to Radio-Canada.

Montreal police have opened an investigation into the fire, which started around 2 a.m. in a three-storey building at the corner of Notre-Dame and Bonsecours streets.

Police say the fire may be suspicious in nature.

Jonathan Michaud of the Montreal fire department said the fire broke out on the main floor where a restaurant is located. He said the fire spread quickly.

The fire department has sent about 125 firefighters and 50 trucks to the scene.

Municipal tax records show the owner of the building is Émile-Haim Benamor, who also owned the building on Place D'Youville in Old Montreal where seven people died in March 2023. The restaurant located on the main floor of the building is owned by another person.

Property records show that the building was constructed in 1923. Those records also show that in 2021, Benamor requested a $10,000 permit to build a "20-room hotel" in the building on Notre-Dame Street.

A hostel called Le 402 is located on the second and third floors of the building. Photos of the hostel on booking websites show exposed brick walls, a shared lounge and rooms with a city view.

Some comments, however, describe the accommodations as crammed and rundown. Multiple reviewers also report bedrooms without windows or windows that wouldn't open.

CBC News reached out to Benamor's lawyer on Friday morning. He declined to comment.

Paramedic service Urgences-santé said one man was taken to hospital with burns. Police later said the person was in critical condition. Two other people were treated for shock on the scene.

Approximately 40 people from an adjacent building were forced out and are being supported by the Red Cross.

Montreal police said last year that the March 2023 fire at the building on Place D'Youville was intentionally set. Inspectors had flagged a number of fire safety violations at that building, including a lack of smoke detectors and problems with its fire escape. The building hosted Airbnbs, which were illegal in that area.

Police will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. to provide an update on the investigation.