A fire at an empty building in Montreal caused the Jacques-Cartier Bridge to close recently. According to city spokesperson Hugo Bourgoin, the building at 1600 De Lorimier had been inspected 12 times by Ville-Marie borough officials since 2023, with the most recent inspection on December 22, 2025. During these inspections, two “infraction notices” were issued to the building’s owner to remind them of their responsibilities for vacant properties.
When contacted by CBC, the building’s owner, Bertone, and the City of Montreal responded on Friday. Briana Bertone, the company’s director of legal affairs and corporate strategy, stated that they had not received any violation notices for the building and had been working closely with the city to ensure the building’s safety since acquiring it.
In response to queries from CBC, another city spokesperson clarified that the infraction notices were informational and did not indicate any actual violations. These notices serve as reminders to owners of vacant buildings about their obligations and are sent annually to all affected owners.
Montreal authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred late on a Tuesday. The building has been demolished, and the bridge has been reopened for traffic in both directions. Investigators will review security footage, and although it is unclear if there were squatters in the building, a sniffer dog was brought to the site for further investigation.
The historic property, originally a soap factory, was set to be redeveloped into housing by Bertone. The federal government had announced a $108 million investment in the 304-unit project through its Apartment Construction Loan Program. However, Bertone stated that the project is currently on hold pending the investigation.
Vacant buildings in Montreal have seen several fires in recent years, with data revealing that a significant number of serious fires occurred in such properties. Although a bylaw requiring owners to register vacant buildings was passed in 2023, it is not yet enforced. The rules for vacant buildings became effective on January 1, 2026, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 for non-compliance, potentially reaching up to $250,000 for historic buildings.
Chris Ross, president of the Montreal firefighters’ association, highlighted the increased fire risks and unique dangers posed by vacant buildings. Due to the likelihood of squatters being trapped inside and the structural instability of these buildings, firefighting operations are often conducted from outside to minimize risks to responders.