Following a fire in its upper floor and roof earlier today, the West Wing of Royal Victoria College (RVC) will remain closed for an undetermined period of time. The approximately 80 students who live in the West Wing will be relocated to temporary living quarters.
Power, which had been shut down at the request of the Montreal Fire Department, was restored to the Strathcona Music Building by mid-afternoon, which permitted classes and concerts to continue as normal.
A fire department spokesperson on the site told reporters the fire appeared to have started in an empty space on the upper floor or roof. The fire was quickly put out before spreading very much, although there was extensive damage to the West Wing roof, a section of which has been dismantled.
Students and staff were evacuated from the building without incident and directed to the Carrefour Sherbrooke residence nearby. No injuries were reported. Many of them will be allowed in to the West Wing to recover belongings. Support to students is being provided.
There remains no information about the cause of the fire.