Arson at Montreal psychiatric hospital: police seek suspect

A suspect allegedly entered Albert-Prévost hospital with gasoline and set a fire overnight; no injuries were reported.

Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a man was seen trying to set a fire at a psychiatric hospital in the early hours Wednesday.

The SPVM says it received calls around 12:20 a.m. about a suspect possibly attempting arson at an establishment on Gouin Boulevard West near Crevier Street in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

According to spokesperson Johany Charland, a man was seen roaming around in a suspicious manner with incendiary devices on him. He left the scene in a vehicle immediately after lighting a fire.

Noovo Info sources say a hooded man entered the Albert-Prévost psychiatric hospital with a can of gasoline and set it on fire.

Police say firefighters quickly got the blaze under control, and damage to the building was minor. No one was injured.

However, according to Noovo Info, patients on the ground floor of the building had to be evacuated, and some nurses were inconvenienced.

A crime scene was set up, and a police investigation is ongoing. The SPVM says it collected surveillance camera footage and interviewed witnesses at the scene.

No arrests have been made.

With files from Noovo Info.