Fire in Montreal’s Mile End, heat wave making job more difficult for firefighters

"It heats up pretty fast and we have to take care of our people," said Robert Rousseau with the Montreal fire department, as 150 firefighters were called to put out a blaze in Mile End amid the extreme heat. Gareth Madoc-Jones reports.

By Tina Tenneriello

Posted June 1, 2023 10:18 am.

Last Updated June 1, 2023 6:25 pm.

The Montreal fire department battled a five-alarm blaze at a building located near the corner of Laurier and Saint-Urbain in Montreal’s Mile End.

Calls to 911 came in at around 8:40 a.m. Thursday reporting smoke that could be seen from the building.

Once on the scene, firefighters determined the fire broke out on a balcony at the back of the building and spread quickly to the roof. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

No injuries were reported and five people were evacuated from the building.

“The building involved is a three storey high building, with a business on the main floor and residents on the second and third floor. We have five people that we’re taken in charge by Red Cross blue injuries,” explained Robert Rousseau with the Montreal fire department.

The blaze was quickly moved up to a five alarm five, and some 150 firefighters are on the scene. This was due to the heat wave and not because of the intensity of the fire.

“We have more firefighters on scene because of the heat conditions,” said Rousseau. “We want to ensure that our firefighters take breaks more often, hydrate themselves properly and cool down properly.”

The current weather condition is making the work of firefighters more difficult as they need to take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool down their body temperatures. Three firefighters have been evaluated for heat stroke but did not need to be sent to hospital.

“Our staff is doing rotation to ensure they don’t overheat. They’re fighting a fire over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, in close to 40 degree Celsius weather condition, in basically a snowsuit, so it heats up fast and we have to take care of our people,” explained Rousseau.

The fire was under control by 11:30 a.m.