At least six people are missing following the fire that ravaged a building in Place d’Youville on Thursday morning. Short-term Airbnb accommodations were located in the building.
The Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) confirmed the information during a press briefing on Saturday morning in front of the ruins of the building. “For the moment, it is not possible to carry out searches in a safe manner in the building, which must first be secured,” indicated the division chief at the Montreal Fire Safety Service, Martin Guilbault.
“During the weekend, officials will work on an intervention plan to allow our teams to conduct research in a safe manner, while trying to preserve the heritage structure. [du bâtiment] “, he added.
SPVM Commander Steve Belzil clarified that “for the moment, we are not talking about arson. Among the nine people who were injured by the blaze, two are still hospitalized. The cause of the fire has not yet been identified.
According to Mr. Guilbault, only one firefighter was injured during the operation by “receiving blood from a victim in one eye”, but he was treated.
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