A fire broke out in a building in Old Montreal on Tuesday evening, causing significant damage and displacing several residents.
According to Montreal Fire Department officials, the fire started around 6:30 p.m. in a commercial building on Saint-Paul Street West, near Saint-Laurent Boulevard. The building, which housed several businesses and apartments, quickly became engulfed in flames.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and immediately began battling the blaze. Despite their efforts, the fire continued to spread and eventually reached four alarms, requiring additional resources to be called in.
Thankfully, all residents were able to evacuate the building safely and no injuries have been reported. However, the building sustained significant damage and several businesses and apartments were destroyed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe it may have started in a restaurant on the ground floor. The intense flames and thick smoke made it difficult for firefighters to enter the building and extinguish the fire.
As a result of the fire, Saint-Paul Street West was closed to traffic between Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Sulpice Street. The area is expected to remain closed for several hours as firefighters continue to work on extinguishing any remaining hot spots.
The Red Cross has been called in to assist the displaced residents and provide them with temporary shelter. The City of Montreal has also set up a temporary shelter at a nearby community center for those affected by the fire.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the bravery of our firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect our community. We will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
