By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A suspected arson attack struck an auto repair shop in Île-Bizard, prompting a criminal investigation by local authorities.

Montreal Police (SPVM) responded to emergency calls at approximately 2:45 a.m. Dec. 15 regarding a fire at a garage located on Paiement Road. While firefighters swiftly contained the situation, evidence of foul play emerged during the initial investigation.

A perimeter was set up around the site, while SPVM technicians collected evidence in order to better determine the circumstances surrounding the event.

Investigators discovered an incendiary device within the vicinity of the facility, pointing to deliberate criminal activity. According to the initial results of the investigation, it appears that suspected perpetrators would have ignited a stack of tires, which subsequently caused the flames to spread to a vehicle as well as the building’s structure, causing significant damage, which remains to be evaluated.

The incident may be part of a pattern of targeted attacks, according to authorities. SPVM spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier confirmed that the same establishment had been vandalized earlier in the week when its window was shattered by a brick. n