Montreal police have opened an investigation into an arson attack that occurred at a downtown restaurant overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.
Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the Montreal Fire Department requested assistance from the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) at the scene of a fire that had broken out in a restaurant located on Drummond Street, near Sainte-Catherine Street.
Once the flames were brought under control by firefighters, an incendiary object was found inside, leading authorities to believe that the origin of the fire was criminal.
“According to the initial information gathered by the police on site, a suspect smashed the window of the store and threw an incendiary object inside before fleeing on foot,” reported officer Véronique Dubuc, who is a spokesperson for the Montreal police force.
Overall, the damage to the restaurant was minor, according to authorities. There was no one inside at the time of the fire, so there were no injuries.
The investigation into this fire will be conducted by the SPVM’s Arson Unit. A security perimeter has been set up around the restaurant in question to protect the scene for investigators.
The SPVM reported no arrests in this case early Thursday morning.