PHOTOS | Fire at Soupe et Cie in Limoilou, the suspected criminal thesis

The investigation into the fire that caused significant damage to the restaurant Soupe et Cie, in the Limoilou district of Quebec, was transferred to the police department on Thursday morning.

Investigators from the fire department have reason to believe that the blaze could have a criminal origin, leading the investigation to switch to the police side.

Despite these suspicions, no hypothesis is ruled out at this stage, however, said a spokesperson for the Quebec Fire Protection Service (SPCIQ), Alexandre Lajoie.

The fire broke out at 4:11 am, late Thursday night, in the building on 3rd Avenue, which also housed the “Street food” counter, an initiative of Soupe et Cie.

Emergency services were informed by an alarm company and a passerby who, at the same time, could perceive a smell of smoke and an audible alarm inside.

The fire was more precisely located in the ceiling and the floor that separates the two floors of the building, the firefighters were able to observe.

When they arrived, a thick smoke enveloped the upper floor, where a suite is vacant.

About fifty firefighters extinguished the flames. It took a little over an hour to master the destructive element.

A third alarm was triggered, due to the strength of the fire, but also to the proximity of neighboring buildings, which had to be evacuated, although they ultimately suffered no damage.

There were no occupants in the restaurants, and no injuries were reported.

According to Alexandre Lajoie, spokesperson for the Quebec Fire Protection Service, “the damage to the two businesses is significant”.

The fire occurred the same day the restaurant closed its dining room for 28 days, due to the health situation in the region.

On site, an owner admitted to being “demolished”.

Investigators from the fire department were dispatched to determine the origin and cause of the fire.