Residents View Shattered Homes Following Devastating Fire
In the heart of Montreal, a long-standing issue of neglected and hazardous buildings has come to light. Two triplexes on Ontario Street in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve were destroyed in a fire in January 2022, leaving the buildings abandoned and posing a threat to public safety.
Neighbours like Ilan Schwarz and Monica Campo have been voicing their concerns about the situation for three years, with no significant action taken. The burned triplexes have reportedly been a hub for drug use and other inappropriate behaviours, causing distress among local residents.
The City of Montreal has been criticised for being slow to enforce articles allowing for repairs or demolition of dangerous or heavily damaged buildings. In this case, the borough of Maisonneuve authorised the demolition of the burned triplex, but the owner has not provided a necessary bank guarantee.
Annick Charest, the city's communications director, reported on the order obtained on June 23, 2025, and the ongoing procedures for the court to potentially rule on the demolition of the building. However, the co-owner of the other burned triplex on Ontario Street has not made any comments about the state of the building.
Meanwhile, another burned triplex in Dorval, on Garden Crescent, has been the subject of a court case by the city seeking its demolition since a fire in September 2023. The City of Dorval is frustrated by the situation and has asked the court to order the demolition of the building.
Cities have several legal options to enforce repairs or demolition of heavily damaged buildings that pose a danger or have lost significant value due to incidents like fires. These include enforcing municipal codes, conducting inspections, prosecution and liens, taking emergency measures, enforcing building codes and zoning regulations, and managing vacant or dangerous buildings.
In the case of the burned two-story building across from the Rosemont metro station, it was recently bought and had been the subject of multiple inspections and violation notices in recent years. The real estate file of the burned-down building mentions significant development potential, raising questions about why the necessary repairs or demolition have not been carried out.
Neighbours like Barbara Matthews and Michel Morin have testified that the buildings remain abandoned and unchanged since the fires. Barry Cohen, who represents one of the owners, attributed the delay in demolition or reconstruction work to a dispute with their insurer.
By taking swift and decisive action, cities can ensure public safety and prevent further hazards. It is hoped that the ongoing court cases will lead to the demolition or repair of these dangerous buildings, bringing peace of mind to local residents and neighbourhoods.
Investing in the demolition and rebuilding of the hazardous triplexes on Ontario Street, as well as addressing the financial matters such as acquiring necessary bank guarantees, could contribute to establishing justice and fostering a safer environment for local residents. Adhering to the city's building codes and zoning regulations, along with enforcing repairs or demolition of buildings that have lost significant value due to fires or other incidents, could lead to potential real-estate developments that uplift the neighborhood and bring peace of mind to the community.
