Illustration photo / Ph. Marcel Tremblay - QMI Agency ‹ › A Moroccan national who died in a fire in Quebec City's Old Town has been confirmed as a homicide victim, according to preliminary findings released by investigators on Tuesday. The victim, 42-year-old Ahmed Yassir Ismaili-Alaoui, was found unconscious on the floor of his room. Despite resuscitation efforts by first responders while he was being transported to hospital, he could not be saved. «The autopsy allowed the investigation team to conclude that the man was the victim of a homicide. The fire itself is also of a criminal nature», said William Robitaille, spokesperson for the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ). According to local media citing police sources, this is the first homicide recorded in the city this year. The fire broke out on Saturday evening in a second-floor apartment of a building on Saint-Mathias Street. The SPVQ has not yet disclosed the exact cause of death, nor whether any signs of physical violence were found on the victim's body. At this stage, investigators believe the crime is not linked to organized crime, noting that the victim was not known to police. Authorities also indicated that limited information is currently available about the deceased. Police are calling on anyone who may have information about Ahmed Yassir Ismaili-Alaoui, or who may have witnessed anything unusual in the hours surrounding the fire, to come forward. Members of the public are encouraged to contact investigators at 418-641-AGIR (2447).
