MONTREAL - Montreal firefighters rescued several works of art Sunday evening after a fire erupted in a downtown art gallery.


The Jean-Pierre Valentin gallery houses works by such artists as Jean-Paul Riopelle, Paul-Emile Borduas, Marc-Aurele Fortin and Jean-Paul Lemieux.

More than 120 firefighters battled the fire in the three-storey building at the corner of Sherbrooke Street. West and MacKay Street.

A fire official says some paintings were damaged, but firefighters were able to rescue others and prevent several million dollars in damage.

The blaze was extinguished at about 10:30 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

Montreal police have taken over the investigation.

(Montreal La Presse)

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