Quebec warned about potential parking-garage collapse

The Quebec government says it sent a memo two years ago to building owners warning about the potential for the exact type of parking-lot collapse that killed a Montreal man this week.

A spokeswoman for the provincial building-safety board says owners were issued a warning about the corrosive effects of de-icing salt and the need to perform regular maintenance work on multi-level garages.

The December 2006 memo still posted on the Rgie du batiment's website carries a graphic that bears an eerie resemblance to Wednesday's spectacular collapse.

The illustration shows collapsing slabs of concrete, falling cars, and vehicles being crushed in a scene almost identical to this week's fatal accident.

The memo warns owners that they must ensure their concrete structures remain in good shape, in order to protect people's safety.

The company that owns the complex in west-end Montreal was among those to receive the notice, the government spokeswoman said.

"The property owner has a legal responsibility to maintain his building," Rgie spokeswoman Marjolaine Veillette said in an interview Thursday.

"It's up to him to do the necessary maintenance to his building so that its occupants are safe."

She said a government inspector went to check electrical wiring in the building's stairwell, located near the parking garage, after a call from the fire department this past May.The inspector did not enter the garage.

The real estate giant that owns the building remained tight-lipped on Thursday. After scheduling interviews with its president Thomas Schwartz, the Cap Reit company cancelled them and issued a terse statement instead.

The company said it was inspecting the accident site with government-appointed engineers.

Authorities ordered residents to leave

Several hundred tenants of a Montreal apartment building spent the night away from home after authorities ordered them to leave following the deadly collapse of their underground parking garage.

'They told us everything was OK, everything was safe. Now we know it's not OK. Now we're scared. Everybody's scared.' Andr Jean, a building resident

One man was crushed to death when the floor of a three-storey garage in Saint-Laurent gave way early Wednesday, trapping him inside his car.

Police promptly cleared the highrise, forcing about 500 people out offor an indefinite period time.

Evacuees were put up at a local sports centre in the northwest Montreal borough, or stayed with relatives and were receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

Montreal Mayor Grald Tremblay said occupants won't be returning until provincial inspectors are sure the structure is safe, emphasizing that Quebec is responsible for upholding building codes.

"The borough had no complaints about the building, and it's the responsibility of the Quebec government to make regular inspections," he said Wednesday.

The highrise, called Joie de vivre, was built in the 1970s and is managed by Toronto-based real estate company Cap Reit.

The company will be held accountable if any evidence points to that conclusion, said Saint-Laurent borough Mayor Alan Desousa.

"If they are not in compliance, and the Rgie du Batiment [building inspection agency] has got clear indication that they haven't, they will take action, either in court, or in penalties," he said.

Cap Reit released a statement expressing its condolences for the victim's family.

Nearby underground parking lots are also being inspected as a precaution.

Residents say building is in sorry state

The victim, a man in his forties, worked as a driver for a dental-supplies courier company, which rented space in the underground garage.

He was getting into his vehicle to start a delivery run when a massive, 30-metre-by-30-metre piece of concrete came crashing down, also crushing several other cars. Police aren't releasing his identity, but his co-workers described him as a nice, helpful person.

Tenants in the adjoining highrise told reporters there have been several complaints about general maintenance in the building.

Some described cracks in the concrete garage floor, a funny smell and visible rust in supporting rods.

"There is a lot of rust in the structure," resident Simon Abou-Antoun told CBC News.

Water was visibly leaking inside the parking garage, said resident Andr Jean, who parks his car there and has lived in the highrise for 19 years.

"I mentioned it to the janitor a couple of times. But I didn't register a formal complaint, so now I'm scared," he said. "They told us everything was OK, everything was safe. Now we know it's not OK. Now we're scared. Everybody's scared."

Quebec's building safety agency has set up a toll-free number (1-888-271-1827) for people who want to report problems.