Man charged in Plateau fire that killed a senior
Posted September 24, 2025 3:53 pm.
Last Updated September 24, 2025 5:02 pm.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to a major fire that killed a 77-year-old on Sunday in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal.
It happened around 4:50 a.m. on Sept. 21, when a blaze engulfed a three-storey residential and commercial building on Mont-Royal Avenue East, near Saint-André Street.
A senior was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
Around 150 firefighters were on the scene to put out the flames. It took until about 8:30 a.m. to extinguish the fire.
The investigation was handed over to the Montreal police arson squad.
The suspect, Brandon Gagné, appeared in court Monday and Wednesday. He’s been charged with manslaughter and with arson endangering human life.
The charge sheet reads that Gagné: “caused the death of Paul Thibideau, thereby committing manslaughter, a criminal act under sections 234 and 236(b) of the Criminal Code.” “On or around September 21, 2025, in Montreal, intentionally or without regard for the consequences of his actions, caused damage to property by fire or explosion, namely: a building located at 813 Mont-Royal Avenue E, knowing or not caring that it was inhabited or occupied, thereby committing the criminal act provided for in section 433(a) of the Criminal Code.”
It’s reported that the man is from the unhoused community and allegedly started the fire at the foot of a business to keep warm. The blaze is said to have gotten out of control and spread to the apartments on the upper floors.
The suspect is reportedly known to police, and is awaiting trial on charges that include mischief. He was previously incarcerated for breaking and entering incidents.
