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Historic Saint-Paul Church Destroyed during Massive Blaze in Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
A five-alarm fire ravaged the historic Saint-Paul Church in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest borough early Monday morning. Emergency services responded to a 911 call just before 2 a.m. on February 23, deploying 100 firefighters to the scene.
Devastating 5-Alarm Fire Claims Montreal Heritage Site
The Incident: A massive fire broke out before 2 a.m. on Feb. 23 at the former Saint-Paul Church (Sud-Ouest).
The Impact: 100+ firefighters responded. 148 people were evacuated, including dozens from a connected seniors' home. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The Loss: The 1910-1911 heritage building is a total loss. Additionally, the La Main Qui Partage food bank lost all its equipment and food supplies.
The Investigation: The Archdiocese of Montreal and local officials are currently working to determine the cause.
Key Facts Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Date & Time | Feb 23, 2026, approx. 2:00 a.m. |
| Location | Saint-Paul Church, Sud-Ouest (Montreal) |
| Emergency Level | 5-alarm fire |
| Casualties | None reported; 148 evacuated |
| Major Losses | Heritage building (1910), La Main Qui Partage food bank |
While the 116-year-old structure was lost, the fire also spread to an adjacent seniors' residence. Fortunately, all 148 evacuees—including 73 residents from the retirement home—were safely assisted by the Red Cross, with no injuries reported. The fire also decimated the inventory of La Main Qui Partage, a local food bank that operated out of the church basement. Officials are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.
A "Central Memory" Lost: Sud-Ouest Mourns Saint-Paul Church
The Côte-St-Paul neighborhood is grieving the loss of its historic heart following a devastating fire on February 23. The Saint-Paul Church, built in 1910, was more than just a heritage site; it was a cornerstone of local life.
Borough Mayor Véronique Fournier noted the "immense loss," highlighting the building's role in decades of community milestones. Beyond the architectural tragedy, the fire dealt a severe blow to local social services, destroying the entire stock of the La Main Qui Partage food bank. Despite the heavy property damage and the evacuation of a nearby seniors' home, the community is grateful that all residents were moved to safety without injury.
FULL TEXT Statement from the Archdiocese of Montreal:On the night of Monday, February 23, 2026, a fire broke out at Saint Paul's Church in Montreal's Southwest borough, marking a painful moment for all those connected to this place of prayer and service. We are grateful that no one was injured and express our deep gratitude to the firefighters and emergency responders for their swift action, professionalism, and dedication.
Representatives from the Diocese visited the site on Monday to assess the situation and meet directly with the Fire Department. We remain in contact with municipal authorities and are closely following all directives and recommendations as the investigation continues.
St. Paul's Church is home to an Orthodox community that faithfully gathers for liturgical services in the main sanctuary. Additionally, the basement housed the local food bank, La Main Qui Partage (The Sharing Hand ). Sadly, the fire destroyed all of the food bank's facilities and resources. This loss affects not only the organization but also the many families and individuals who rely on its support. The Diocese offers its prayers to the volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries and is seeking ways to provide assistance during this difficult time.
We also want to reassure the local community: the site has been secured by the authorities. They have installed a fence around the site, and the demolition work required by the Fire Department has been completed. Safety remains our top priority.
Prior to this incident, work had already been carried out to stabilize and reinforce certain parts of the building, including the facade, the bell tower, and sections of the rectory. These measures demonstrated the ongoing care taken to preserve the integrity of the site.
While the investigation into the exact circumstances of the fire continues, the Diocese remains committed to supporting the community through faith, prayer, and charity. We thank all those who have offered their support and continue to ask for your prayers for those affected by this event.
Mr. Charles Langlois PSS
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal
https://diocesemontreal.org/fr/actualites/nouvelles/incendie-leglise-saint-paul-mise-jour-diocese
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