Huge blaze at N.L. fish plant forces town’s evacuation
by The Canadian Press
The mayor of Bay de Verde, N.L. says the blaze at Quinlan Brothers' fish plant could be devastating, with the possible loss of 700 seasonal jobs
BAY DE VERDE, N.L.—A large fire at a fish plant has forced out hundreds of people in a small community in eastern Newfoundland.
Gerard Murphy, mayor of Bay de Verde, said he had invoked an emergency plan and evacuated most of the shoreline community, affecting about 400 people.
Murphy says four fire departments were trying to contain the blaze as strong winds gusting to 50 kilometres whipped up black smoke that was billowing from the processing plant.
He says the blaze at the 50-year-old Quinlan Brothers fish plant could be a devastating loss to the area, with the possible loss of 700 seasonal jobs.
Barbie Skulason, whose husband manages one part of the plant and is also with the fire department, says they were alerted to the fire at about 5:30 a.m.
There were concerns earlier that a large ammonia tank on the site could further fuel the fire, but Murphy said most of the contents had been released into the air.
The RCMP says there have not been any reports of injuries.
