Man found dead after barricading himself in home, setting fire, police say

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A 50-year-old man died at home Sunday afternoon in Longueuil after starting a fire in his Pendale St. residence, police say.

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Following a 911 call at 12:15 p.m., the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) was called to intervene after “a domestic dispute” in the home. The first officers arrived on the scene at 12:24 p.m.

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Police established a security perimeter and evacuated about 10 neighbouring homes. Power was cut to the house and neighbouring houses at the request of police for safety reasons, said a Hydro-Québec spokesperson.

Police then tried to make contact with the man inside “to try to reason with him,” Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau des Enquêtes Indépendantes, said in a statement.

The BEI has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the Sunday event. The organization’s mandate is to investigate any police operation in Quebec involving death or serious injury to anyone other than a police officer on duty.

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According to preliminary information provided to the BEI, a “threatening man” armed with a knife and in possession of propane tanks had barricaded himself inside. He was alone. At 12:35 p.m., the man started a fire in the house. Police then entered, accompanied by firefighters, according to the BEI.

The man was found inside, lifeless; he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Seven BEI investigators will investigate; the Sûreté du Québec is providing support.

The BEI asks any witnesses to the event communicate with the agency via its website at www.bei.gouv.qc.ca/nous joindre.

sschwartz@postmedia.com