Montreal police investigating suspicious fire at kosher restaurant
Montreal police are investigating a suspicious fire at a kosher restaurant on Décarie Boulevard that caused significant damage but no injuries. Community members and the building owner have expressed concerns that the incident may be an act of antisemitic arson.
Why it matters
The incident has sparked fears of hate-motivated violence against Jewish-owned businesses, prompting an official police investigation.
The two-alarm fire broke out at approximately 3:15 a.m., at Nöam restaurant on Décarie Boulevard near Vézina Street , according to Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) spokesperson Raphael Bergeron.
While no one was injured in the fire, the building was considerably damaged. Bergeron told CBC News there is preliminary information that an individual was seen on the premises as the fire began.
He says police are in possession of surveillance videos that will be verified by investigators.
A video obtained by CBC News shows a man in a white T-shirt and dark pants seemingly starting a fire and running away.
The interior of the restaurant is damaged and covered in ash from the fire. (Paula Dayan-Perez/CBC) Community fears fire was motivated by hate Police are investigating, but people in the community fear the incident was motivated by hate.
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