The Montreal Police Department has confirmed that a first victim has been extricated from the rubble of a fire-ravaged building in Old Montreal.
• Also read: Her Little Cousin Missing Since Old Montreal Fire: ‘I Will Miss Her Very Much’
“We were able to extricate a first victim at 6:45 p.m.,” Montreal Police Service Arson Division commander Steve Belzil confirmed during a news conference late Sunday night.
“The steps to identify this victim are being taken by our partners in the forensic science laboratory and forensic medicine,” he added.
This is the first confirmed death since the fire that caused significant damage to the Place D’Youville building. Six other people are still missing.
For his part, the department head of the Montreal Fire Department (SIM), Martin Guilbault, said that the preparatory work for the dismantling of the 2nd and 3rd floors began on Sunday afternoon.
“The dismantling of the building is required to allow safe access to the fire scene for SPVM investigators, fire safety responders, and forensic science and forensic medicine laboratory personnel,” explained Mr. Guilbault.
The SPVM states that it is still too early to confirm the cause of the fire.