Montreal police say March fire that killed seven people was intentionally set

The 2023 Montreal Homicide Victim List is available here

Montreal police Insp David Shane announced on August 28th that an “accelerant” was discovered at the scene of the fire in Old Montreal on Place D’Youville that left seven people dead on March 16th.

Police said an accidental cause has been ruled out and it’s now a criminal investigation. Investigators have identified an area where the fire began. Share said the building was a heritage site, paired with the accelerant could explain why the fire spread so quickly.

The victims have been identified as:

Walid Belkahla, 18
Charlie Lacroix, 18
An Wu, 31
Saniya Khan, 31
Dania Zafar, 31
Nathan Sears, 35
Camille Maheux 80

Maheux lived in the building, while the others were staying in Airbnb’s.

Police have not commented on if they have any suspects.