FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West

In 1963, a small family-owned flower shop opened on Gouin Blvd. in Pierrefonds. In 1968, it expanded to a larger facility at the corner of Pierrefonds and St. John’s boulevards, becoming Camille Fleuriste. It quickly grew to be one of the West Island’s favourite flower suppliers before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Last week, on the afternoon of April 9, police believe arsonists entered the vacant building and set it ablaze, resulting in a four-hour intervention by nearly 100 firefighters and forcing Hydro-Québec to shut down power for several hours in a large area from Pavillion Street in Pierrefonds to Lake Road in Dollard des Ormeaux.

Firefighters finally extinguished the blaze at about 8:30 p.m., while police blocked traffic, diverting commuters to various residential streets.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Police arson squad was called in, and investigators interviewed witnesses who said they saw an SUV fleeing the scene before the fire broke out. No injuries were reported.

While the building is still standing, the interior has been completely gutted.