Montreal arson squad investigate after car torched in RDP, damaging nearby vehicles

A Montreal police (SPVM) car.

Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a car was set ablaze in the Rivière-des-Prairies borough late Thursday night.

The cause of the fire is so far unclear, said Montreal police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils.

Police received several 911 calls at about 11:45 a.m. reporting the car on fire near the corner of Arthur-Léveillé Street and 5th Avenue.

“When the police arrived on the scene, the Montreal fire department was already controlling the fire,” said Chèvrefils.

The burned vehicle is a total loss, she said, adding that an SUV and a pickup truck were parked nearby. The SUV was also destroyed, while the truck sustained “significant damage.”

“No incendiary object was found at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the fire are currently unknown,” said Chèvrefils.

The investigation has been transferred to the Montreal police arson unit.

The torched car was towed for further analysis. Investigators are also looking for possible surveillance camera footage near the scene.