Massive Fire Shuts Down Montreal’s Jacques-Cartier Bridge, City Grinds to a Halt
A towering column of smoke rising over Montreal stopped one of Canada’s busiest bridges in its tracks and it brought a major city to a standstill.
A massive fire tore through a long-abandoned four-storey building in central Montreal, forcing the full closure of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, a vital link between the city and the South Shore. More than 150 firefighters were called in as flames burned through the night and into the morning, visible from kilometers away.
The building, vacant for years, sits dangerously close to the bridge. Fire crews made the call to keep everyone out of the structure, fighting the blaze from the outside only. The reason was simple and serious. The building’s stability could not be guaranteed and there was a real risk of collapse. Thick, toxic smoke also threatened visibility on the bridge, creating an immediate danger for drivers.
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As flames continued to flicker inside the structure, a wide security perimeter was set up. Nearby offices, businesses and institutions were shut down. Streets were blocked. Traffic across the city quickly backed up as commuters scrambled to find alternate routes, overwhelming other bridges and key arteries.
By late morning, engineers were brought in to assess whether the bridge itself had been affected by the heat and smoke. Fire officials made it clear that reopening would not happen until safety was fully assured. At the same time, demolition preparations began on the damaged building, starting with unstable elements on the roof, to prevent further risk.
So far, no injuries have been reported and no nearby residents were evacuated. But the incident has highlighted a deeper issue facing many major cities. The building had been unused for years, yet it stood in a dense urban area, occasionally occupied by people seeking shelter. Community organizations confirmed that unhoused individuals had taken refuge there in the past and some were forced to flee the smoke overnight.
Investigators are now working to determine what caused the fire. Police say it is too early to draw conclusions and they are waiting for the site to cool before beginning a full investigation. Officials have stressed that speculation helps no one at this stage.
This fire matters because it exposed how a single neglected structure can disrupt an entire city. It shut down a major transportation corridor, strained emergency services and raised questions about urban safety, abandoned buildings and long-delayed redevelopment projects.
As Montreal waits for the bridge to reopen, the focus remains on safety, accountability and what comes next once the smoke clears. Stay with us for verified updates as authorities assess the damage and the investigation moves forward.
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