A massive fire in Chinatown has destroyed a building which once housed Canada's very first full-time movie theatre.
The fire broke out at around 11:20 Thursday morning at 974 St. Laurent Blvd., near Viger Ave., and soon completely engulfed the building in orange flame, and sent thick black plumes of smoke into the air visible for several kilometres around.
The building is known as the Robillard building. It was built in 1879, and was once a live theatre venue. On June 27, 1896, it became the first building in the country to show motion pictures on a full-time basis. It did so for a year before reverting to its original vocation.
For the moment, it doesn't appear there were any injures. For the moment, firefighters are trying to keep the flames from spreading to adjacent buildings.