One or more suspects attempted to set fire to the Express 57 restaurant in Ormstown on September 19.
The Ormstown Fire Department was called to the scene at 10:28 p.m. Upon their arrival, firefighters found the exterior brickwork and glass at one of the restaurant’s entrances had been damaged, explained fire chief Mike Greig. “It’s suspicious—even criminal,” he said.
Greig initially requested backup from the Howick and Franklin fire departments, but they were called off.
The Sûreté du Québec were also called to the scene, and an investigation has been launched.
The fire was started exactly two months after arson destroyed the neighbouring Casa Venezia restaurant.
Ormstown mayor Philippe Besombes met with restaurant owner Claude Gervais the following morning, accompanied by councillor René Gauthier. Besombes later posted to social media, describing the events as difficult for the affected business owners and the entire Ormstown community.
This is the second time the Express 57 restaurant has been targeted by arsonists. The first fire badly damaged the restaurant in 2022.