The arson that left two people dead on Friday in Old Montreal could be the subject of a public inquiry. The Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, raised on Saturday the possibility of merging the investigation with that into the fatal fire at Place d’Youville which occurred last year.
“We will see how we could combine these two unfortunate events, these two tragedies in the same investigation so that we are able to speed up the process,” declared the minister.
The last firefighters were leaving the scene of the tragedy when he spoke to the media early Saturday afternoon, accompanied by the head of public security at the City of Montreal, Alain Vaillancourt.
“The police will take possession of the scene and begin the official investigation,” he continued. The latter could be merged with the coroner’s public inquiry into the arson that occurred last year in a building belonging to the same owner, Emile Benamor. Seven people lost their lives in the flames.
A large security perimeter was still in place on Saturday morning, blocking access to the damaged building. The blaze left two dead, a mother and her 7-year-old daughter. The authorities are not aware at this stage of another person missing, said François Bonnardel.
“I want, on behalf of the Government of Quebec, to offer my sympathies and thoughts to the family, and also to offer my support to the firefighters and police officers who are working extremely hard,” he declared.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel (right)
The fire broke out during the night from Thursday to Friday in a heritage building located at the intersection of Notre-Dame and Bonsecours streets.
The building notably housed a youth hostel with 19 rooms on the upper floors, where several visitors reported having stayed in rooms without windows.
Asked about the poor security of the building, Alain Vaillancourt reiterated that the place was safe according to the Montreal Fire Safety Service (SIM).
“The SIM announced [vendredi] that in the last year, they carried out inspections, there were non-compliances, they were corrected with formal notices. And the SIM [vendredi] judged the building to be safe […] We will shed light on everything,” he declared.
According to our information, the tragedy could be the most recent episode in a war between three criminal groups.
Surveillance camera footage shows a masked suspect dressed in black approaching the building just before the flames appeared. An incendiary device was allegedly used.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The owner of the burned building, Émile Benamor
“It is with amazement that we learned of the tragic death of certain people or their disappearance,” reacted Emile Benamor in a written statement on Saturday. “Any information that could allow the arrest of suspects or to understand the cause of this criminal act must be shared with the police authorities in order to avoid a repeat offense,” he continued.
The fire was brought under control between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., said SIM spokesperson George Bele. Saturday morning, around fifteen firefighters were still present at the scene of the fire.
“They are checking the entire burning building, and if ever there are small fires to put out, they will put them out, and they ensure the security of the premises,” said Mr. Bele.
With The Canadian Press