Arson in Quebec: Flames in a building in Saint-Sauveur

Tenants had to be evacuated from an apartment building in the Saint-Sauveur district after a fire, likely caused intentionally, was started on the second floor early Tuesday morning.

It was around 5:30 a.m. that firefighters were called to a building at the corner of Boulevard Charest and Rue Marie-de-l’incarnation due to the presence of smoke.

A second alarm was triggered when firefighters noticed that flames were escaping from the 2nd floor of the building belonging to the Office municipal d’habitation (OMH) de Québec. Around 35 firefighters worked together in this operation which forced the closure of part of Charest Boulevard.

Around 7 a.m., most of the intervention was completed, although ventilation of the 2nd and 3rd floors was still underway. No one was injured.

“All tenants will be able to return to their apartment, with the exception of the one where the fire started,” indicates Laurence Godbout, spokesperson for the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ).

Authorities believe it was arson. Organized crime, however, would not be involved, according to our information.

This is the same building where a clandestine laboratory was dismantled last August. Impressive quantities of drugs and weapons were found there, after people complained of a foul odor.