By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban
A residential fire broke out in a six-storey apartment building in Lachine late Wednesday night, March 13, prompting a rapid response from the Montreal Fire Department.
The incident required the deployment of approximately 20 firefighters to the scene, according to officials.
The blaze, which started shortly after midnight in the Daly & Morin complex on Victoria Street near 19th Avenue, resulted in two individuals requiring treatment for smoke inhalation. Emergency medical services provided immediate care to the affected residents on site.
“The swift response of our firefighting teams helped prevent the fire from spreading to other units,” a Montreal Fire Department spokesperson stated. The damage to the building structure has been classified as minor, though several units sustained smoke damage.
This incident occurs amid growing concerns about fire safety in the borough. Just last month, 35 residents were evacuated from another Lachine apartment building on Ivan-Franko Street due to imminent fire risks, following weeks without proper heating and hot water service.
The Red Cross was on scene Wednesday night to assist affected residents, though most were able to return to their units once firefighters completed their intervention and ventilated the building.
Fire investigators remained on site through early Thursday morning to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated in one of the upper floor units, though the specific cause remains under investigation.
The Montreal Fire Department reminds residents of the importance of maintaining functional smoke detectors and having an evacuation plan in place. Residents can request a free fire safety inspection by contacting their local fire station or calling 514-872-3800.
“We’ve seen an increase in residential fire calls this winter,” noted the department spokesperson. “It’s crucial for residents to remain vigilant and report any potential fire hazards to building management or the fire department immediately.”
Smoke inhalation remains one of the main causes of injuries resulting from residential fires, particularly in buildings that do not maintain up-to-date fire prevention devices.