The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) has reached a “tipping point” in its investigation aimed at uncovering the causes of the fire that killed seven people on March 16 at a listed building in Old Montreal Life came, rejecting “the chance thesis”.
“Today, based on several analysis results collected so far, the incendiary and explosives module can confirm that the cause of the accident has now been ruled out,” confirmed Inspector David Shane, communications manager at SPVM. The police had invited the media to their headquarters to report on the status of the investigation into this tragic fire. “That is why we are launching a criminal investigation,” Mr. Shane continued.
On March 16, a violent fire at the William Watson Ogilvie Building at 224 Place D’Youville, where 22 people were occupied at the time, killed seven and injured nine others. Six people were able to escape from the burning building unharmed. The apartments in the building were then illegally rented out via short-term rental platforms.
As it was a fatal fire, this file was quickly entrusted by the Montreal Fire Department to the SPVM, which then mobilized its Major Crimes Unit in collaboration with the Major Fires and Explosives Unit.
Therefore, the SPVM has conducted various assessments over the past five months, specifically to investigate the possibility that an electrical problem in this 1890 building is the cause of this fire.
A badly extinguished cigarette or an accidentally left stove could also have been the cause of the fire, Mr Shane said, explaining why it took so long for police to be positive that the fire was arson.
A turning point”
During its investigation, the SPVM found at least one area at the scene of the fire where the presence of an “accelerator” was determined. A finding that, alongside the findings of other analyses, which Mr Shane was unable to elaborate on Monday so as not to prejudice the investigation, went a long way in convincing the SPVM that the fire was intentionally set.
“Our investigators identified an area where the fire broke out and I can confirm traces of accelerant were found which contributed to the rate at which the fire spread,” noted Mr Shane, who described the investigation as a “watershed” decision by the SPVM classified as arson.
However, there are still some gray areas that need to be clarified by the police. “We can’t say how it started and how it spread,” explained Mr. Shane, particularly in view of the flames that quickly devastated the listed building near the Pointe-à-Callière museum.
Public inquiry put on hold
Following this tragic event, coroner Géhane Kamel was also commissioned to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this fire, the deadliest in Montreal since 1975. However, that inquiry was shelved. on hold until the SPVM completes its criminal investigation and will press charges, if appropriate, Shane said Monday.
However, the inspector did not want to say when these investigations could be completed. He also refused to disclose whether the SPVM had already identified one or more suspects in the case. But of course it is the aim of the police, he specified in an interview with Duty.
“What we are saying is that there was intent behind this fire. Necessarily there are individuals behind this – one or more – and our job will be to establish who is involved, to what extent, and what offenses would be,” he said. In this context, “anyone who has seen or been involved in things.” [dans cet incendie] “The goals have been met or will be met, that’s for sure,” he continued.
He also urged any Montrealers who have information that could help advance this investigation to call 911. “All information is important and we would like to address this request to the citizens,” he said.
The families of the victims of this fire from several countries were informed about the new turn of the investigation before this press conference, the SPVM said.
Today the #SPVM Report on the investigation into the fire at the Place D’Youville building in Old Montreal that took place on March 16.
To follow the press conference live:
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???? https://t.co/PXIzfqqd5G pic.twitter.com/0BKy6kNVS8— Montreal Police Department (@SPVM) August 28, 2023
offenses
The 14-apartment building in question was purchased in 2009 for $1.65 million from Emile-Haim Benamor, a lawyer and wealthy landowner well known to the Administrative Housing Tribunal. A windowless bedroom was subsequently added to this building, which has also received multiple infractions over the years for inaccessible fire exits and missing smoke detectors and doors. firewall.
David Shane did not comment on the condition of this building at the time of the fire Monday. However, he pointed out that the thesis of criminal negligence remained possible in this case, as did several other Criminal Code offenses that could not be ruled out at this time. “I can’t judge the direction of this investigation and the objectives, but the spectrum is wide,” Shane said evasively.
“It could be homicide, it could be criminal negligence. So any crime that can result in the death of those victims,” he said. He said the person or persons arrested in this case could potentially face charges of seven murders.
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