Seven people disappeared in the fire. Only one body has been found so far. It is a woman, the authorities confirmed on Monday morning, without revealing her identity.
The missing people are from Quebec, Ontario and the United States, Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) Inspector David Shane said during a press conference organized near the scene of the fire.
The investigation could extend to “at least a week or two,” suggested SPVM director Fady Dagher, who doesn’t rule out the possibility that there are more missing people.
The chief of police spoke of a “criminal investigation”, although it was still too early to hypothesize the cause of the fire.
“When you look at the rubble, it becomes extremely difficult to work in these conditions. »
— A quote from Fady Dagher, director of the SPVM
The lengthy and meticulous dismantling of the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building had already been going on for a few hours on Monday morning. A shovel truck, cranes, and other equipment were used to facilitate the work of police and firefighters, as well as forensic science laboratory technicians.
The lengthy and meticulous dismantling of the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building had already been going on for a few hours on Monday morning.
Photo: Radio Canada / Charles Contant
Because the scene is difficult and complex, the job promises to be difficult, said Montreal Fire Department (SIM) spokesman Martin Guilbault.
Inspector Shane said Monday that authorities will provide an update on operations every morning at 8am for as long as necessary and that further communications will be made as needed while work is being done to dismantle the building and dig through the rubble.
The SPVM, he assured, is in touch with all the families of the missing persons.
Fire in Old Montreal, a complex police investigation
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Nine injured, two of them in intensive care
The burnt down building is at the intersection of Rue du Port and Place D’Youville. The fire, which broke out early Thursday morning, also injured nine people, two of whom remain hospitalized in a burn unit.
SIM announced last week that the building offers short-term rental accommodation on the Airbnb platform, which is banned in this sector of the city.
Many firefighters are at the scene Monday, including the Montreal Fire Department’s technical rescue team.
Photo: Radio Canada / Charles Contant
Some testimonies raise questions about the building’s compliance, but neither the SPVM nor SIM could provide any details on Monday morning.
To date, no charges have been filed against the owner of the premises and it is not known when the last inspection took place.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, present at the press conference, indicated that her office contacted Nathan Rotman, General Manager of Airbnb Canada. She regrets that the company is washing its hands off the subway where some of its users rent out their apartments.
What happened here on Thursday is a tragedy, it is absolutely appalling, the chosen one continued. [Manifestement]we wouldn’t be in the current situation if we had a company that takes its responsibilities seriously.
The owner took action against it, says his lawyer
In an interview on ICI RDI, owner Emile Benamor’s attorney Me Alexandre Bergevin defended his client. The investigations are progressing. The causes of the accident have not been clarified. We offered our cooperation. My client met with investigators, provided an explanation and plans of the facility.
He claimed that his client does not do Airbnb-style short-term tourist rentals, but that there are short-term rentals in the building.
Me Bergevin stated that the owner took action regarding a tenant. Reminders were sent and the landlord intended to take this tenant to court. It was agreed that this tenant would vacate the building by June 30th.
The landlord’s attorney argued that the scourge of illegal short-term rentals passed his client by. In Quebec, you can’t terminate a lease simply by claiming that it makes Airbnb illegal. They have to meet the deadlines in court, he said, adding that a case that ends in the tribunal administratif du logement can take one to two years.