5-alarm fire in Ahuntsic-Cartierville leaves dozens in cold

Firefighters have brought a five-alarm fire at an apartment building in Ahuntsic-Cartierville under control.

Approximately 150 firefighters were dispatched to the scene after a call came in around 12:55 p.m. Monday.

The building, on DudemaineStreet, has 96 units. About 100 residents were displaced by the fire.

According to Ian Ritchie, operations chief for the Montreal fire department, the fire started on the third floor of the building.

The building has four sections, each separated bya fire wall, he said. The fire was able to spread spread from the section where it started to a second section, viathe roof.

Once firefighters arrived on scene, they were able to contain it. It's unclear if any of the affected apartments are salvageable.

Ritchie said there's nothing to believe the fire was criminal in nature. Investigators are on the scene.

The Red Cross is offering temporary shelter tothe displaced residents. No injuries have been reported.

'It destroyed the whole Christmas'

Resident Christopher Nourice was in the shower when he started to smell smoke. He said he looked out the window and spottedfire trucks and saw a neighbouring family being rescued.

Then a firefighter knocked at his door, telling Nourice that he needed to leave the building.

Nourice grabbed his cat, Max, and went out into the street.

"It destroyed the whole Christmas," said Nourice.

"I don't even know what's going to happen with my house or what's going to happen with everything left in the house now, too."

Nourice said he plans to sleep at his sister's tonight.