Over 100 Côte Saint-Luc residents still without heat after power outage

More than 100 residents in a Côte Saint-Luc apartment complex are still without heat days after a power outage, despite electricity being restored to the surrounding area. The January 24th outage caused pipes to freeze within the building, rendering heating systems in numerous units inoperable. Residents like Sofiane Benyoucef and his family were forced to relocate to a hotel with Red Cross assistance, facing uncertainty about when they can return home. A small fire in the building’s basement further delayed their return, with residents being told they could not return for at least three more days.

Côte Saint-Luc Mayor David Tordjman stated the city is working with building owners to support displaced residents and expedite repairs, opening up city resources to assist. However, residents express frustration over the lack of a clear timeline for resolution. Bluestone, the building owner, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The prolonged outage has led to a proposed class action lawsuit against Hydro-Quebec, alleging negligence in infrastructure maintenance and failure to prevent the breakdown. The claim seeks damages for burst pipes, water damage, and displacement costs. City officials are advising affected residents to document their experiences for insurance claims or potential legal action.

(Source：Global News)