MONTREAL — A lawyer representing the father of a man killed in a fire in Old Montreal says the fact police are now investigating the fire as arson raises new questions.
Melissa Lonn is representing Randy Sears, whose son, Nathan, was among seven people killed when a heritage building hosting illegal short-term rentals caught fire March 16.
Lonn is suing the building's owner, short-term rental platform Airbnb and a man who was operating rentals out of the building. On Monday, Montreal police Insp. David Shane said investigators found traces of accelerant at the building site and that their probe could lead to a wide range of charges, from arson to murder.
Lonn says the news that police have ruled out accidental causes is shocking and difficult for her client to absorb. She says Sears and other family members of victims have been waiting months for answers about the cause of the fire and are now wondering about the motive and the suspect.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Montreal Police ask residents for help in search for 85-year-old Pierrefonds manMontreal police are asking for the public's help to find a missing 85-year-old Pierrefonds man.
Read more »
Old Montreal fire that killed 7 now investigated as homicide, police sayThe Old Montreal fire that killed seven people in March is now being investigated as a homicide.
Read more »
Heartbroken families of 7 killed in Old Montreal fire search for answersSeven people were killed after a fire ripped through an Old Montreal heritage building on March 16. With the police investigation ongoing and a public inquiry to come, the families of those killed are looking for answers.
Read more »
Old Montreal building flagged for violations prior to fire that killed 7 peopleThe Old Montreal building that erupted in flames, leaving seven people dead last month, was flagged repeatedly for fire safety violations in the years leading up to the incident, documents show.
Read more »
Prior to going up in flames, Old Montreal building was considered 'fire trap' by worried rentersPeople who stayed at the building where a fire broke out last week in Old Montreal say they had safety concerns. “I have to imagine everyone living there thought at some point, 'man, if there’s a fire, I’m a goner,'” one former tenant said.
Read more »
Fire that killed 7 people in Old Montreal was deliberately set, police sayPolice in Montreal now say that traces of accelerant were found in an area of the building where the fire started. The investigation is now a criminal one.
Read more »