A wave of deliberate fires ripped through Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies district early Sunday morning, leaving a trail of destruction and sparking a police investigation. Seven vehicles in total were consumed by flames in two separate incidents, raising concerns within the community.
The first alarm sounded at 2:15 a.m. when a 911 call reported a cube truck ablaze on Gaston Maillet Avenue. Firefighters were already battling the intense heat when police arrived, quickly working to contain the rapidly spreading fire. Initial assessments suggest the truck was intentionally set alight, with suspects vanishing before law enforcement could intervene.
Less than ninety minutes later, at 3:30 a.m., a second emergency call drew police to Henri-Bourassa Boulevard. This time, the target was a business parking lot, where six vehicles – four cars, a van, and another cube truck – were engulfed in flames. The scene was one of chaos and destruction, illuminated by the flickering light of the fires.
Investigators discovered evidence of incendiary materials at both locations, confirming that these were not accidental fires. Thankfully, despite the extensive damage to the vehicles, no other property was affected, and no injuries were reported. The swift response of the fire department undoubtedly prevented a wider catastrophe.
As of Sunday morning, both sites remained secured as the Montreal arson unit meticulously analyzed the scenes. Detectives are painstakingly reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras, hoping to identify potential suspects and piece together the events of the night. Every detail, no matter how small, is being scrutinized.
While authorities haven’t yet established a connection between the two arson incidents, the possibility remains open. Police are carefully examining all potential links, refusing to dismiss any avenue of investigation. The motive behind these attacks remains a mystery, fueling speculation and concern.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. The community is left shaken, grappling with the unsettling reality of deliberate acts of destruction in their neighborhood. The search for answers continues.
