Three years after a tragic fire claimed seven lives in a historic building in Old Montreal, the owner has been arrested. Émile Benamor, a controversial lawyer and active real estate investor, was taken into custody by the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) around 7 a.m. on March 16, 2023. He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the fire that broke out in his building.
Details Surrounding the Fire Incident
On the day of the incident, 22 individuals were present in the building. Of these, six individuals escaped unharmed, while nine sustained injuries and required hospitalization. Tragically, seven people lost their lives due to the fire.
- Nathan Sears
- Camille Maheux
- Charlie Lacroix
- Walid Belkahla
- Dania Zafar
- Saniya Khan
- An Wu
Victims Charlie Lacroix and Walid Belkahla, both 18, had rented an apartment through a short-term rental platform. During the fire, Lacroix reportedly called 911, stating, “Come get us, we cannot get out,” according to his father.
Legal Charges Against Émile Benamor
Émile Haim Benamor, aged 63, now faces a total of 15 charges. These primarily include involuntary manslaughter for the seven deaths and charges related to criminal negligence causing injury to eight other individuals. He is currently being interrogated by the police and is expected to appear in court shortly.
Building Safety Concerns
Reports stated that the building had a history of safety violations. Over the past 14 years, Benamor received multiple infractions related to inaccessible emergency exits and the absence of smoke detectors and fire doors. Despite this, he claimed to have undertaken repairs to resolve these issues, asserting that he regularly checks his properties for safety.
Criminal Nature of the Fire
The fire was determined to be of a criminal nature. A suspect, Denis Bégin, who was on the run at the time, was reportedly on site during the early morning of the incident. He allegedly claimed to know the fire’s origin, but no formal charges have been filed against him as of yet.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the loss and seeks answers regarding the tragic events of March 16, 2023. Benamor’s situation raises further questions about building safety regulations and the enforcement of fire codes in Montreal.
