St-Michel five-alarm fire displaces at least 30 families; 70 daycare children evacuated
A building near Crémazie and Saint-Michel Boulevard caught fire Monday afternoon; three people treated for smoke inhalation; Red Cross assisting 95 people from 32 families.
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A five-alarm fire tore through a building near the intersection of Crémazie East and Saint-Michel Boulevard on October 14, just before 1 p.m., displacing at least 30 families and forcing the evacuation of 70 children from a daycare on the building's first floor.
About 150 firefighters responded. Three people were hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation injuries. Residents were trapped on balconies during the fire; firefighters rescued them quickly, according to Francis Fleury, a section chief with the Montreal fire department. "There was already smoke coming out of the building, and there were people trapped on the balconies," Fleury said. "The firefighters quickly rescued these people."
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. The extent of damage to the building has not been disclosed.
As of Tuesday, the Canadian Red Cross was assisting 95 people from 32 families with food, clothing, and temporary hotel accommodation. However, families are told to find other living arrangements after three days of Red Cross support. Hatem Ruis, a father of four who was displaced, evacuated children from the daycare where his daughter was attending. "After three days, the Red Cross told us that we'll have to find other living arrangements. I'm in a very complicated situation because I can't work because of everything that is going on… I have to find a solution for my family," he told another outlet. Ruis left with nothing during the evacuation.
What is the cause of the fire, and how far along is the investigation?
What support is available to displaced families after the Red Cross's three-day assistance window ends?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
Where did the five-alarm fire happen?
A building near the intersection of Crémazie East and Saint-Michel Boulevard in Montreal caught fire on October 14.
How many people were displaced?
At least 30 families were displaced, and 70 children were evacuated from a daycare on the building's first floor.
What help is the Red Cross providing?
The Canadian Red Cross was assisting 95 people from 32 families with food, clothing, and temporary hotel accommodation as of October 20, but support is limited to three days.
