Fire destroys Quebec shrimp processing plant; investigation transferred to police
Quebec provincial police have taken over an investigation into an overnight fire at a shrimp processing plant in the town of Matane, roughly 350 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
The fire at the Fruits de mer de l'Est du Québec factory forced some local residents out of their homes for several hours early this morning before firefighters extinguished the flames.
Police spokesperson Stéphane Tremblay says firefighters were initially leading an investigation into the cause of the blaze but received information that led them to transfer the case to investigators with the provincial police force's major crimes unit .
Tremblay says an analysis of the scene will continue through the weekend.
The local member of Quebec's national assembly, Pascal Bérubé, posted video from the scene on social media showing a large cloud of smoke emanating from the plant just before 7 p.m. on Friday.
The municipality asked residents in the surrounding area to evacuate their homes at midnight but lifted the order at around 5:30 a.m. after determining there was no threat to local air quality.
Officials have not shared the extent of damage to the factory, but Bérubé says the fire nevertheless represents a further blow to the small community after the plant's owner announced its closure last week.
He says Matane residents had hoped the factory would find a buyer.
"To learn, one after the other, of the plant's closure and then its fire, is a lot for the community," he said in a phone interview.
Matane Mayor Eddy Métivier has described the plant's closure as a "catastrophe" for the local fishing industry and a shock to a town that prides itself on its ties to the shrimp harvest.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.