A fire that caused extensive damage to a kosher restaurant in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood is being investigated as a possible arson, Montreal police have said.
Firefighters were called around 3:15 a.m. to a blaze on Décarie Blvd. between Plamondon Ave. and Vézina St., according to police spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron.
The building, which houses Nöam, a kosher restaurant serving Mediterranean, Italian and international dishes, as well as a garage, sustained major damage before firefighters brought it under control.
Bergeron said someone was seen leaving the premises shortly after the fire began, prompting authorities to transfer the case to the Montreal police arson squad.
Investigators were expected to examine the scene and review surveillance footage in an effort to identify the person,
Asked whether the restaurant may have been targeted in a hate crime, Bergeron said investigators had yet to establish a motive.
“We don’t have any indication at this time, but we’re going to look at all the possibilities,” he said.
