Labs flooded as pipes burst at Montreal mental health hospital institute

By Canadian Press on January 27, 2026.

MONTREAL — Health officials say four labs have been damaged after burst pipes sent water pouring through a building at a Montreal mental health hospital and research centre.

The local health authority says Monday’s incident was major and damaged the second and ground floors of the Lehmann pavilion of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.

The CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal says cold weather and the age of the facilities were likely factors.

They say nobody was injured, but four research labs were badly affected and water also had to be cut to several neighbouring buildings.

A website for the Douglas suggests the building that was damaged was built between 1894 and 1910.

The health authority says teams are on site to repair the damage as quickly as possible and to minimize the disruption to research activity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2025.

The Canadian Press