A historic building on rue Saint-Jacques, in the borough of Saint-Henri, was reduced to ashes overnight from Saturday to Sunday, after surviving another blaze 12 years ago.
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“It’s really sad for us, because it was a beautiful building from the 1800s, but it burned down twice,” laments owner Peter Sergakis, met by The newspaper.
In total, 27 families found themselves on the street. Eight of them were picked up by the Red Cross for emergency aid.
Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Girard
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire which mobilized more than a hundred firefighters.
“Some tenants were not present that night, so it is still possible that people will show up for help,” said Carole Du Sault, spokesperson for the Red Cross.
Earlier Sunday, the building built in 1882 was declared a total loss.
Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Girard
The Montreal Police Department has resumed the investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.
A trying night
After the tragedy, curious people gathered near the security banners to watch the end of the fire.
“It’s really awful. There is a gentleman who spent part of the night sitting on a bench watching his home burn,” said a neighbor who preferred to remain anonymous.
Around 10 a.m., his apartment still reeked of smoke and the electricity was cut.
Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Girard
The owner of the building, Mr. Sergakis, cannot help thinking about the fate of certain tenants.
“One of the tenants lives with her son and is not in good health. She has to stay in bed 24 hours a day. I don’t know how her son got her out of the apartment, but now I’m worried about whether her health has deteriorated,” admits he, his voice cracking with emotion.
Heritage under threat
For Maurice Valade, born in Saint-Henri in 1995, the building on rue Saint-Jacques was a reference in the district.
Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Girard
“It’s part of the history of Saint-Henri that flies away. An inestimable loss,” he laments.
According to Mr. Sergakis, the building formerly belonged to the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Moreover, he had given himself the mission of restoring it to its former glory.
Already burnt down
In 2010, however, a violent fire ravaged part of the historic building, which has since been replaced by more modern condos.
It remains to be seen whether the same fate will be reserved for the second part of the building which was destroyed this weekend.
“A building that was built by craftsmen 100 years ago, chances are it will be more interesting than a building rebuilt with round saw cut cement blocks and aluminum windows,” says Dinu Bumbaru, from Héritage Montréal.