Building Owner Sues City for $7.6 Million After Fatal Fire in Old Montreal

The owner of a building in Old Montreal, where seven people tragically lost their lives in a fire last March, is now suing the city for $7.6 million. Émile Benamor claims that the city’s regulations for heritage properties made it impossible for him to make necessary changes or repairs to the building. Benamor also alleges that firefighters did not provide sufficient resources during the fire and did not listen to his warnings that there were likely people inside the building. Additionally, Benamor is suing city officials, including the mayor, for defamation based on comments they made following the incident. At the same time, the family of Charlie Lacroix, one of the fire victims, has filed a $1.5-million lawsuit against Benamor, the City of Montreal, and the individual who was operating rentals in the building.

Montreal police have provided an update in August, revealing that the fire is now being treated as a criminal investigation after traces of accelerant were found at the scene. It is important to note that none of the allegations presented in these lawsuits have been tested in court.

In a separate development earlier this year, the father of another victim, Nathan Sears, filed a $22-million class-action lawsuit against Benamor, short-term rental platform Airbnb, and the individual responsible for the rentals in the building. This lawsuit is still pending and awaiting further action.

(Word count: 206)