Montreal police are investigating a fire that heavily damaged a kosher restaurant early Shabbos morning after evidence at the scene indicated it may have been deliberately set.
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Montreal police are investigating a fire that heavily damaged a kosher restaurant early Shabbos morning after evidence at the scene indicated it may have been deliberately set.
The blaze broke out at approximately 3 a.m. at Nöam, a kosher restaurant on Décarie Boulevard in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood. According to CTV News, investigators believe the fire was intentionally started and have launched a criminal investigation to determine the motive.
CTV News reported that a man was seen leaving the area as the fire began.
Nearly 80 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire, which also damaged a garage located in the same two-story commercial building. Authorities said it remains unclear whether additional businesses inside the building were affected. No injuries were reported.
The incident drew swift condemnation from Canadian officials.
Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather called for the case to be investigated as a hate crime, writing that he was “absolutely disgusted” by what appeared to be an arson attack on a local kosher restaurant and urging authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller also condemned the attack, saying he trusts the incident will be “properly investigated as a hate crime.”
Other public officials, including Senator Leo Housakos and Member of Parliament Leslie Church, also denounced the fire and voiced support for a thorough investigation, with Housakos saying the incident reflects the growing sense of insecurity felt by many Canadian Jews.
Police have not announced any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.
