Police ID a victim in Montreal fire

One of two confirmed victims of last week’s fatal fire in Old Montreal was identified on Wednesday as the search continued for at least five others who remained missing in the rubble of a historic building.

Montreal police Insp. David Shane identified the victim as 76-year-old Camille Maheux. Maheux’s body was recovered from the fire on Sunday evening; a second body was removed from the rubble on Tuesday, but has not yet been identified.

“The investigation and search for other victims are ongoing,” Shane told reporters at the scene Wednesday after formally announcing Maheux’s death.

Firefighters and police said at least five people remained missing after a fire tore through the historic stone building early last Thursday.

Shane told a briefing earlier in the day that searchers were targeting areas of the building where the missing people were likely located when the fire started. Searchers used a crane, specialized camera equipment and drones, he said. Authorities have said identities of victims will only be released after confirmation from two separate methods, including a DNA test or dental records.

Martin Guilbault, a Montreal fire operations chief, said a plan to dismantle the upper floors of the three-storey building was on hold while authorities conducted a more “methodical” search. Authorities, he said Wednesday, would concentrate efforts inside the building.

Shane said the discovery of the body on Tuesday evening “confirms that the cross-referencing of the information collected by investigators allows us to effectively orient the search in the building.” Police did not provide further details about the second victim pending identification by the coroner’s office, Shane said.

Investigators, he added, have not ruled out the possibility there could be more than five people missing.