Police in Montreal are investigating a suspicious overnight fire that heavily damaged a kosher restaurant after surveillance video appeared to show a person setting the blaze before leaving the scene.
The two-alarm fire broke out around 3:15 a.m. Saturday at Nöam restaurant on Décarie Boulevard in the Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. No injuries were reported, though the restaurant sustained extensive damage.
Police spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron said investigators have preliminary information indicating an individual was present at the property as the fire began. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage as part of their investigation. Video obtained by CBC News appears to show a man wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants igniting a fire before running from the scene.
Building owner Howard Szalavetz told CBC News that only the restaurant was damaged, while other businesses in the building, including a garage and car wash, were not affected. "Given the fact that it was a kosher restaurant, I find it hard to believe it wasn't antisemitism," He said.
The fire has prompted concerns within Montreal's Jewish community about whether the restaurant may have been targeted. Federal lawmaker Anthony Housefather called for authorities to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime, writing on social media: "Absolutely disgusted to see what appears to be an arson attack on Nöam, a local kosher restaurant overnight. This attack on a Jewish-owned business must be investigated as a hate crime."
Quebec legislator Elisabeth Prass visited the scene Saturday and said it was too early to determine a motive, but noted that "we can't deny the fact that it was a kosher restaurant." CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Stéphanie Valenzuela condemned the fire, saying acts of violence and intimidation have no place in the community.
Authorities have not classified the fire as a hate crime. The investigation remains ongoing with no arrests announced.