SSIM starts prevention blitz to curb criminal fires.

Starting at 13:30 on July 28 a hundred firefighters and prevention officers of the Service de Sécurité Incendie de Montréal (SSIM) will be patrolling their boroughs with a view to identifying any potential fire risks and any vacant buildings which could be the target of the person responsible for the fires of the past few days.

Firefighters from stations 5, 13, 16, 19, 26, 29, 30, 39, 45, 48 and prevention officers serving the boroughs of Plateau Mont-Royal, Mercier - Hochelaga-Maisonneuve et Ville-Marie will be patrolling the streets and alleys of the target sectors and visiting vacant buildings. The results of the observations from this blitz will be sent to exch of the directors of public works in the boroughs concerned.

The verification blitz by the SSIM is a joint operation with the City of Montreal and the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). It aims to reassure citizens of the boroughs concerned with the recent criminal fires.

All Montréalers are urged to follow the following prevention advice:

• Keep the entrance to the building clear at all times.
• Keep the doors to stairwells closed.
• Make sure that your smoke alarm is working.
• Know the evacuation plan for your building.
• Keep corridors and exits clear.
• The building owner should ensure sufficient lighting.
• Remove any accumulations of garbage near your building.
• Call 9-1-1 or call info-crime (514-393-1133) if you see any suspicious persons.