Police investigate suspected arson in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a suspected arson after a fire broke out early Sunday morning in the city’s Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.

According to SPVM spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils, officers were called around 3 a.m. to assist the Montreal fire department with a blaze that began near a door of a residence on Languedoc Ave., near Rosemont Blvd.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control.

The flames damaged the front doors of two residences. No injuries were reported.

A witness told CityNews that surveillance video he captured shows a car with no headlights slowly moving along the street around 2:51 a.m., just before the fire started. The vehicle reportedly pulled up near the house that was targeted. About 30 seconds later, a large flash is visible on the footage. He says less than 10 minutes later, fire trucks arrived at the scene.

An incendiary object was found at the scene and may be linked to the start of the fire, Chèvrefils said.

The suspect(s) fled before police arrived. It’s not yet known whether more than one person was involved.

No arrests have been made.

Investigators from the SPVM’s arson unit have taken over the investigation.