According to a report from CTVNews, Pascal Descary, the Chief Coroner of Quebec, Canada, is launching a public inquiry into the deaths of seven people who died in a March 16 fire in Old Montreal at the Place d’Youville building, where many of the victims were staying in short-term rentals.
The inquest will be one of two Descary will hold following a request from the Quebec’s public safety minister, François Bonnardel, on Tuesday. In addition to the fatal fire, a second inquiry will be opened into the recent shooting death of a Montreal police officer.
No charges have been filed as Montreal police officials continue to investigate the fatal fire.
The coroner’s office said that coroner Géhane Kamel will chair both investigations.
On Monday, the municipal opposition party at Montreal City Hall sent a written letter to Descary and Bonnardel calling for a coroner’s inquiry into the fatal fire. The letter comes after reports of alleged safety hazards in the structure such as a lack of windows in at least one unit and issues with smoke alarms.
On Tuesday, the opposition said it welcomed the decision into the inquiry.
Randy Sears, the father of one victim, has launched a $22-million class-action lawsuit against the building’s owner, the man who is believed to have rented out several units, and Airbnb, alleging three defendants were negligent.
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