Montreal police reported that a tragic incident occurred early Wednesday morning when a fire erupted at a homeless encampment in the Montréal-Nord area, resulting in the death of a woman in her 50s. The emergency services were alerted at approximately 4:50 a.m. by a witness who spotted the fire near the intersection of Charleroi Street and Lacordaire Boulevard.
Upon arrival at the scene, responders discovered an unconscious woman who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, she was later pronounced dead by the authorities. Although the fire had already been extinguished by the time the fire crews reached the location, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigators from the arson unit will be conducting inquiries.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed her condolences and addressed the woman’s death during a meeting of the executive committee, emphasizing the urgent need to address homelessness in the city. She stressed the importance of providing safe housing for citizens living on the streets, ensuring they can live with dignity. The mayor also mentioned that the city’s cold-weather plan is prepared and will be presented soon, with a request to the provincial government for its implementation.
Diane Pilote, the executive director of Chez Doris, a women’s shelter in Montreal, expressed concern over the woman’s tragic death and highlighted the temporary nature of camps as a solution to homelessness, emphasizing the need for more secure and sustainable housing options. As winter approaches, organizations like Chez Doris are awaiting funding for essential services to support vulnerable individuals during the cold season.