SPVM takes over investigation into fire that damaged Montreal mosque
Posted August 4, 2026 10:04 pm.
Last Updated August 5, 2026 2:29 pm.
Montreal Police (SPVM) have taken over the investigation into a fire that damaged a mosque in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood after the fire department was unable to determine what caused the blaze.
Police say the investigation is not being treated as criminal, and investigators currently have no evidence the fire was intentionally set.
Members of the mosque say they are waiting on the outcome of the investigation, while acknowledging concerns within the community.
“It’s the first fire in many years,” said Mohammed Tanzil Rahman, secretary general of the Baitul Mukarram Mosque. “Whether it’s an attack or not has not been confirmed yet. We all have our suspicions, but we will leave the investigation to police. We have footage of a person walking around suspiciously. We provided that to the police. We want to be responsible and wait to see what police have found.”
Rahman adds that any act of violence against a place of worship would be deeply troubling.
“If this is an attack, this is a mosque, people come here to pray,” said Tanzil Rahman. “There’s no need for the hate. There’s no reason to hate. We’re Canadians and Quebecers. We’re normal people. We don’t hate anyone. If this is an attack, I would say, ‘Get to know us. Violence isn’t the answer.'”
Timeline of the fire
A call came into 911 on July 31 around 2 a.m. about a vehicle fire in an alley off De Courtrai Avenue.
By the time police arrived, firefighters had brought the blaze under control.
The fire is believed to have spread from the vehicle, damaging businesses located on either side of the alley, including the mosque.
Montreal police investigators will now work to determine how the fire started.
