Montreal police reported the death of a woman following a fire at a homeless camp in the Montreal-Nord area early Wednesday. An individual called 911 around 4:50 a.m. after spotting the fire near Charleroi Street and Lacordaire Boulevard. Upon arrival, emergency responders found an unconscious woman in her 50s who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead.
Authorities mentioned that by the time fire crews reached the scene, the fire had already been put out. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, with arson investigators scheduled to examine the site.
In a meeting of the executive committee on Wednesday morning, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed her condolences for the deceased woman and highlighted the pressing issue of homelessness in the city. She stressed the importance of providing safe housing for citizens living on the streets to maintain their dignity and prevent tragedies like this.
Martinez Ferrada announced that the city’s cold-weather plan, prepared for weeks, will be presented soon, and the city will request assistance from the new provincial government to ensure its implementation. She emphasized that the lives and dignity of Quebec residents are at stake.
Diane Pilote, the executive director of Chez Doris, a women’s shelter in Montreal, expressed concern over the lack of funding for their warming station as winter approaches. She acknowledged the limitations of temporary camps in addressing homelessness, emphasizing the need for more sustainable solutions.
