Montreal police said two sport‑utility vehicles were deliberately set on fire during the night of September 5‑6, 2026. The incidents occurred in the Saint‑Leonard and Montreal‑Est districts, each within an hour of the other, prompting officers to open two distinct criminal‑arson investigations.
According to the police, both fires were intentional, leading detectives to treat the cases as criminal arson. The investigations are being conducted separately, reflecting the different locations and timing of the incidents. Authorities have not released further details about the vehicles, any possible suspects, or the motive behind the acts.
The Saint‑Leonard fire was reported first, followed shortly by the blaze in Montreal‑Est. Police responded to each scene, secured the areas and began collecting evidence. Both neighborhoods are part of the greater Montreal region in Quebec, and the back‑to‑back nature of the fires raised concerns among local residents.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the two investigations will proceed independently, as each case involves its own set of circumstances. The separate inquiries will involve forensic analysis of the fire scenes, review of surveillance footage where available, and interviews with witnesses who may have observed suspicious activity.
Montreal police have asked the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could assist with the investigations. While the incidents occurred in different parts of the city, the proximity in time suggests a possible link, a factor that investigators will explore as the cases develop.
The police continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. No injuries were reported in either incident, and the fires were contained without further damage to surrounding property.