Two men accused in the fatal 2024 Montreal fire that killed a French mother and her seven-year-old daughter were allegedly assaulted while in custody, according to arrest-warrant documents filed in Quebec court.
The alleged attack involved three other inmates and has resulted in new allegations of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
The development is separate from the criminal case against the two men accused in the deadly Old Montreal blaze.
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What happened to the Montreal fire suspects
Justin Fortier-Trahan and Juventino Hernandez Pelaez are accused in connection with the fire at a building near the intersection of Notre-Dame Street East and Bonsecours Street in Old Montreal.
The fire broke out on October 4, 2024, in a building where 25 people were present.
Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter, Vérane Reynaud Geraudie, 7, died in the blaze.
Two other people were injured, while the remaining occupants were located by authorities.
According to the latest court documents, the two accused men were allegedly attacked inside a detention facility.
The three men accused of carrying out that attack are identified as Nackael Hickey, Adil Mawji and Deion Oliver.
The allegations against the three inmates have not been tested at trial.
All accused people are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The original Old Montreal arson case
The Montreal fire investigation was transferred to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal after the blaze.
The SPVM’s major-crimes section worked with its arson unit to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Police previously alleged that one of the two men arrested in the case set the building on fire using an incendiary object, while the other allegedly drove the getaway vehicle.
The Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales was consulted after the arrests.
The two men later faced charges including second-degree murder and arson-related offences.
The allegations relate to the deaths of Geraudie and her daughter, as well as the injuries and danger faced by other people inside the building.
The SPVM has said the investigation remains focused on identifying anyone else who may have been connected to the crime.
Why the case remains significant
The fire drew attention to safety concerns in older buildings used for short-term accommodation and raised questions about how guests can escape quickly when a fire spreads through a heritage structure.
For families affected by the blaze, the latest allegations add another layer to a case that has already involved a lengthy investigation, criminal charges and repeated court appearances.
The deaths of Geraudie and her daughter were confirmed after investigators recovered victims from the ruins.
The SPVM later confirmed that all 25 people believed to have been inside the building had been accounted for, including the two people who were injured.
What happens next
The alleged jail assault will proceed as a separate criminal matter from the Old Montreal fire prosecution.
The accused in both proceedings will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the court process.
The fire case itself is expected to continue through Quebec’s criminal courts.
Key future steps may include pretrial appearances, disclosure of evidence, motions and decisions about how the prosecution will proceed.
Police have not released every detail of the investigation, saying that doing so could affect the proceedings or compromise investigative work.
Anyone with information about the fire can contact Montreal police or provide information anonymously through Info-Crime Montréal.
In an emergency, residents should call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Montreal fire happen?
The fire occurred on October 4, 2024, at a building near Notre-Dame Street East and Bonsecours Street in Old Montreal.
Who died in the Old Montreal fire?
Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her seven-year-old daughter, Vérane Reynaud Geraudie, died in the blaze.
Who are the men accused in the fire case?
Justin Fortier-Trahan and Juventino Hernandez Pelaez were arrested and charged in connection with the fire. They remain presumed innocent.
What is the latest update involving the accused?
Court documents indicate that the two men were allegedly assaulted in custody in an incident involving three other inmates.
Are the jail assault allegations proven?
No. The allegations must be tested in court, and everyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against SPVM statements confirming the fire location, October 4, 2024 date, victim identities, final victim count and arrests; the custody-attack update was checked against publicly reported Quebec court documents. ([spvm.qc.ca](https://spvm.qc.ca/fr/PDQ30/Actualites/15916))
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this article have not been proven in court, and all accused people are presumed innocent.