Arson suspected at vacant Montreal commercial building

On Saturday evening, a vacant commercial building in Montreal’s Villeray was severely damaged by flames.

Around 8:45 p.m., Montreal Police (SPVM) arrived at the scene on Saint-Denis Street, near the intersection of Crémazie Blvd. Firefighters from the Montreal Fire department (SIM) had already been working to bring the fire under control.

Aftermath of a vacant commercial building in Montreal’s Villeray district, damaged by flames on Jan. 4, 2025. (Alan Sukonnik, CityNews)

Initial information suggests that one or more suspects broke into the building and deliberately set the fire before fleeing, prior to the arrival of firefighters and police.

Incendiary items were found at the scene, confirming that the fire was likely an act of arson.

No one was injured, but the building sustained significant damage.

Jan. 4, 2025. (Alan Sukonnik, CityNews)

An SPVM spokesperson confirmed that investigators from the arson unit were on-site Sunday morning to analyze the scene and review surveillance footage from nearby cameras to better understand the circumstances of the event.

No arrests have been made.

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