4 minors, 1 adult arrested after major fire at Montreal business
Montreal police took over case after traces of accelarant were found at the scene
Montreal police have arrested five youths, including four minors, after a major blaze in Montreal's Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough early Sunday morning.
Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant said a 911 call reporting the beginning of a fire in a business on Larcordaire Street, near Hochelaga Street, came in at around 1 a.m.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had spread to two neigbhouring buildings, forcing their evacuation.
"It was a major fire," Brabant said, adding about 10 people from the adjacent buildings were relocated to city buses.
"No injuries were reported," Brabant said.
By 7:30 a.m. the flames were extinguished, but firefighters remained at the scene.
Police said some of the affected residents were able to re-enter their homes.
The case was transferred to the arson squad after firefighters located traces of accelerant.
Brabant said information from witnesses led to the five arrests. The lone adult arrested was an 18-year-old man.
The spokesperson said they were located not far from the scene.
The five youths were taken to a detention centre and were expected to meet with investigators later in the day.
Written by Annabelle Olivier