Mother and daughter, 7, found dead after Old Montreal fire; public ...

The two people who died in a major fire in Old Montreal on Friday were a mother and her seven-year-old daughter, sources told Noovo Info.

Both victims were French nationals, the sources said.

Montreal police have not released their identities as their investigation continues into what they described as a "suspicious" fire. 

Quebec's public security minister, François Bonnardel, will visit the scene of the fire Saturday and hold an afternoon news conference.

The fire started at around 2:30 a.m. Friday on the ground floor of a three-storey building at the corner of Notre-Dame St. East and Bonsecours Street in the city's historic district. Two people were also injured in the fire, including one who was sent to hospital.

The building is owned by Emile Benamor, who also owned another building in the same neighbourhood that burned down in March 2023, killing seven people. Calls on Friday were directed to his lawyer, who has not responded to requests for comment.

With files from Noovo Info

- This story is developing and will be updated.