A devastating fire, which led to the dramatic closure of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, erupted in a vacant Montreal building that had previously been flagged by inspectors.
This recent blaze, which engulfed a historic building slated for redevelopment, has ignited serious questions about property maintenance and public safety. The structure, located at 1600 De Lorimier, had been the subject of 12 inspections by the Ville-Marie borough since 2023, with the most recent occurring on December 22, 2025. During these inspections, the owner received two infraction notices concerning the upkeep of the vacant property. City spokesperson Hugo Bourgoin emphasized that these notices served as a reminder of the owner's responsibilities for vacant buildings.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the cause of the fire is still under investigation by Montreal police, the building has since been demolished, and thankfully, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge has been reopened to traffic in both directions. Investigators are reviewing security footage, and a sniffer dog was brought to the scene, hinting at the possibility of squatters, though this remains unconfirmed.
This historic property, once home to a soap factory, was slated for a significant transformation into 304 housing units, a project that had even secured $108 million in federal investment through the Apartment Construction Loan Program. The real estate company behind the project, Bertone, has stated they are cooperating with authorities and assessing the situation, with the project currently on hold.
And this is the part most people miss... Vacant buildings in Montreal have unfortunately become a recurring concern. Data reveals that 11 out of 80 serious fires (three- to five-alarm) in greater Montreal between 2020 and the end of 2023 occurred in vacant structures. In response, the city passed a bylaw in 2023 making the registration of vacant buildings mandatory. While this bylaw, which includes fines for owners neglecting their properties, is not yet fully in force, it outlines crucial requirements: maintaining an interior temperature of at least 10°C to prevent damage, securing the building against intrusion, and providing exterior lighting. Fines can range from $1,000 to $40,000, and for historic buildings, they could escalate to $250,000.
Chris Ross, president of the Montreal firefighters' association, highlighted the inherent dangers of vacant buildings. They are not only more susceptible to fires but also pose significant risks to firefighters, especially if squatters are present. "We tend to do a lot of those fires from what we call a defensive operation," he explained, meaning crews often fight the flames from the outside due to the structural instability and boarded-up nature of these buildings.
Now, I'm curious to hear your thoughts: Given the history of fires in vacant buildings and the recent incident that impacted a major artery, do you believe the current regulations are sufficient? Or should there be more stringent measures and immediate enforcement, even for newly enacted bylaws? Let me know your perspective in the comments below!
