Montreal police rescued a 44-year-old homeless man from a building slated for demolition at the corner of Masson and Lafond streets in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough on September 25, 2026. The intervention occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m., after officers were alerted that the individual had entered the structure.
The man had broken into the vacant building to seek shelter, knowing that demolition was imminent. City officials confirmed the property was part of a construction site scheduled for removal later in the year. Police responded to the scene and located the individual inside the building, which was empty aside from construction materials.
Officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) safely removed the man from the premises without incident. He was taken into custody for his own protection and to receive appropriate assistance. No injuries were reported among the police or the individual during the rescue.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about homelessness and the safety of individuals who seek refuge in vacant or soon-to-be-demolished structures. City representatives noted that demolition plans remain on schedule, and that safety measures are being coordinated with law enforcement to prevent similar situations in the future.