Quebec bar suspends building owner facing charges in fatal 2023 Old Montreal fire

MONTREAL — Quebec’s bar association has suspended the law licence of the owner of an Old Montreal building who is facing manslaughter charges in the deaths of seven people who died there in a 2023 fire.

The notice on the Barreau du Québec’s website says Emile Benamor’s suspension went into effect on Thursday.

Benamor was arrested in March and faces seven manslaughter charges as well as several counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Police have said that the allegations against Benamor are related to the state of the building and how it was being managed, and that he is not accused of starting the fire or asking someone else to do so.