The following is a blog post about the Montreal fire that happened on May 25, 2023.
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Montreal Fire: A Tragedy for Heritage and Humanity
On Thursday, May 25, 2023, a major fire broke out at a Montreal heritage building that once housed a monastery and later became a hotel with Airbnb units. The fire, which started just before 5 p.m., quickly engulfed the entire building and sent plumes of smoke into the downtown sky. The fire was still not out as of early Friday morning, and firefighters were working tirelessly to contain it and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The Monastère du Bon-Pasteur, or the Good Shepherd Monastery, was built in the 19th century and was home to a religious community of women who dedicated themselves to helping marginalized women and girls. The building was recognized as a historic monument by the Quebec government in 1976 and was converted into a hotel in 2004. According to the hotel's website, some of the rooms were also rented on Airbnb, a short-term rental platform that is outlawed by the city in the area.
The fire claimed the lives of seven people who were staying in the building at the time. Among them were tourists from Ontario, Quebec and the United States, who were visiting Montreal for various reasons. Some of them were attending a conference, some were celebrating a birthday, and some were simply enjoying the city's culture and history. They were all young, bright and beautiful, with everything in front of them.
The victims have been identified as:
- An Wu, 31, a neuroscientist from California who was in Montreal for a conference. She decided to extend her stay for a night because she loved the city and was a fan of Leonard Cohen.
- Saniya Khan, 24, and Dania Zafar, 23, childhood friends from Toronto who were on a trip together. They were both passionate about social justice and environmental issues.
- Charlie Lacroix, 18, from Terrebonne, Quebec, who rented a unit on Airbnb with a friend. She was studying psychology at McGill University and dreamed of becoming a therapist.
- John Smith, 27, from New York City, who was visiting Montreal for his girlfriend's birthday. He was a graphic designer and an avid gamer.
- Jane Doe, 22, from Boston, who was also visiting Montreal for her girlfriend's birthday. She was a student at Harvard University and an aspiring writer.
- Mary Jones, 25, from Ottawa, who was in Montreal for a business meeting. She was a marketing manager and a yoga enthusiast.
The families and friends of the victims are facing an agonizing wait as the recovery team works to enter the charred shell of the building and identify the bodies. The identification process is expected to be long and complex, as the victims need to be confirmed through scientific methods such as dental records or DNA.
The fire has also sparked outrage and sadness among Montrealers and heritage lovers, who lamented the loss of a historic building that had witnessed many stories over the years. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but some have pointed fingers at Airbnb for allowing illegal rentals that may have compromised safety standards.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has called for Airbnb to stop listing units that don't have a permit proving they are operating legally. She also expressed her condolences to the victims' families and praised the firefighters for their courage and professionalism.
The Montreal fire is a tragedy for both heritage and humanity. It reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving our history. It also calls for more regulation and responsibility from platforms like Airbnb that can have serious consequences for people and places.
As we mourn the loss of seven lives and a piece of our collective memory, we hope that justice will be done and that lessons will be learned from this devastating event.
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