Montreal police are investigating a fire that caused significant damage to a kosher restaurant in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough early Saturday morning. Authorities have classified the case as arson but have not yet established a motive, nor are they currently treating it as a hate crime.

The blaze occurred at Nöam, a kosher restaurant located on Decarie Boulevard, a neighborhood with a substantial Jewish population. Montreal’s fire department reported that nearly 80 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire near the intersection of Plamondon Avenue and Vézina Street around 3 a.m. The fire caused extensive damage to the establishment.

Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough Mayor Stéphanie Valenzuela acknowledged concerns among residents, especially since the incident followed a vehicle fire that damaged the exterior of a mosque elsewhere in the borough earlier in the week. However, she emphasized that current investigations show no evidence linking the two events.

The fire department is continuing to probe the mosque fire, but it remains under their jurisdiction and is not being treated as suspicious or criminal at this time. Mayor Valenzuela said the borough is maintaining communication with police and community leaders and is monitoring developments closely. She reiterated a commitment to community safety, stating that acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable in the area.

At the federal level, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree expressed concern over what appears to be an arson attack targeting a venue significant to Montreal’s Jewish community. He condemned antisemitism and called for efforts to eradicate it wherever it arises.

Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather condemned the fire as well, describing the incident as “absolutely disgust[ing]” and advocating for the investigation to be pursued as a hate crime. He called for those responsible to be apprehended and prosecuted fully. Similarly, Federal Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller characterized the fire as a “disgraceful act” and expressed confidence that it would be investigated thoroughly as a hate crime.

Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada also condemned the incident and urged authorities to take decisive action. In a statement, the organization said that Jewish Canadians have grown weary of condemnations and promises without follow-through, calling instead for tangible measures to address such attacks.

The investigation into the restaurant fire remains ongoing as police seek to determine the cause and any potential motives behind the attack.