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MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal’s mayor vowed Monday to tighten regulation of Airbnb as a search continued for six individuals lacking after a hearth swept by means of a constructing that included Airbnb models in a historic metropolis part the place they’re banned.
Firefighters initially thought there was one particular person lacking within the blaze final Thursday within the japanese Canadian metropolis. Nevertheless, studies emerged later of unlawful Airbnb models within the greater than 130-year-old constructing, and authorities up to date the lacking over the weekend to seven — together with some from the USA.
Montreal police reported pulling the physique of a girl from the rubble Sunday night.
Montreal police Insp. David Shane mentioned the six who’re nonetheless lacking are from Quebec, Ontario and the U.S., including that investigators have contacted their households. The hearth final Thursday additionally injured 9 individuals, together with two who had been hospitalized.
The reason for the hearth is being investigated.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante mentioned the constructing included unlawful Airbnb models in addition to an architect’s workplace. Plante mentioned Airbnb ought to have demanded that unit homeowners present a allow quantity from the Quebec provincial authorities.
“What occurred here’s a full tragedy,” Plante mentioned. “Clearly, we’d not be on this place if we had been coping with an organization that took its obligations significantly and mentioned to those homeowners ‘You don’t have a certificates, you can’t hire your unit.’” And that will drive individuals who need to act illegally and don’t pay taxes to not escape their obligations.”
Plante she deliberate to work with the Quebec provincial authorities to tighten laws on short-term leases.
Airbnb didn’t instantly reply to a message in search of remark.
Alexandre Bergevin, a lawyer for the constructing’s proprietor — Emile-Haim Benamor — mentioned on Sunday that Airbnb leases within the constructing weren’t being operated by his consumer however by tenants, including that steps had been taken to cease the follow.
Montreal hearth operations chief Martin Guilbault mentioned firefighters would start dismantling the second and third flooring of the constructing Monday.
Shane mentioned the police drive’s hearth unit used a drone to assist find the physique of the lady that was eliminated Sunday.
“The idea is that there are six extra individuals inside,” Shane mentioned. “The completely different steps we’ve taken (counsel) these people who find themselves nonetheless lacking are most likely within the rubble, sadly.”
Metropolis officers mentioned Airbnb-style, short-term leases are unlawful within the Outdated Montreal neighborhood the place the constructing is positioned. The hearth occurred on the Édifice William-Watson-Ogilvie, inbuilt 1890, town mentioned.
Bergevin mentioned in a textual content message Sunday that the alarm system had been changed in 2019 and was recurrently examined.
Shane mentioned nobody has been charged in reference to the hearth and that the trigger stays below investigation.
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