Officials are still looking for victims after a fire ripped through a building in Old Montreal last week, killing at least one person.
At a press conference Monday morning, spokespersons for the Montreal police (SPVM) and Montreal fire department (SIM) said six people are still missing. They come from various locations in Quebec, Ontario and the U.S.
"These people still missing are probably still in the rubble, unfortunately," said SPVM inspector David Shane.
Rescuers extracted one body from the building around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday. Officials could not confirm the victim's identity Monday morning but revealed she was a woman.
At a press conference Monday morning, spokespersons for the Montreal police (SPVM) and Montreal fire department (SIM) said six people are still missing. They come from various locations in Quebec, Ontario and the U.S.
"These people still missing are probably still in the rubble, unfortunately," said SPVM inspector David Shane.
Rescuers extracted one body from the building around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday. Officials could not confirm the victim's identity Monday morning but revealed she was a woman.
Unanswered questions: Montreal mayor calls for meeting with Airbnb after fatal fire.
Source: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/6-missing-after-old-montreal-fire-probably-still-in-the-rubble-police-1.6320257
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Police also confirmed that two of the nine people transported to hospital last week remain in the burn unit at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal.
Investigators survey the scene following a fire in Old Montreal, Sunday, March 19, 2023, that gutted a heritage building. Several people are still unaccounted for. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
UNAUTHORIZED AIRBNBS
In the wake of the fire on Thursday, officials initially believed only one person was missing -- but later learned that several units in the building were short-term rentals, or Airbnbs, making occupants difficult to track.
The city has since confirmed Airbnbs are illegal in the area where the building is located.
A lawyer for the building's owner said Sunday that Airbnbs in the building were being operated by tenants, adding that steps had been taken to stop the practice.
Speaking at another press conference Monday, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante acknowledged the issue of illegal Airbnbs in the city.
She said part of the problem is a lack of inspectors, adding that an inspection into an illegal short-term rental is only triggered when a complaint is lodged.
The solution will require collaboration between Montreal, Quebec, and especially Airbnb, Plante said, claiming the latter need to do more to ensure its users comply with the law.
