The town of St. Joseph’s is still reeling after a fire devastated the Atlantic Cold Seafoods fish plant in the small community.
One of two buildings at the fish plant was destroyed after a fire erupted 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. According to witnesses, the fire seemed to originate in the centre of the processing facility, said RCMP.
RCMP Holyrood detachment members responded to the Monday night fire, where fire fighters from St. Joseph’s and three neighbouring communities were already on the scene.
No injuries were reported but nearby residents were evacuated and others warned they could also be evacuated if the winds changed direction. The fire and resulting smoke contained toxins that could have been harmful to people’s health.
“We are fortunate for sure no homes were involved or no injuries,” St. Joseph’s Mayor Anthony Healey said.
“It was an inferno, a lot of flammable material and fuel,” Healey said.
The plant was a wooden structure and burned quickly.
The plant employs roughly 100 people, many from other communities. It has been in the community since the 1970s and processes shrimp in the summer. Daley’s Cold North Seafood’s company officials could not be reached for comment.
“The people who depend on it for work are concerned. It’s going to be difficult to replace 100 jobs,” Healey said.
The blaze was brought under control in a few hours, Healey said.
The RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are still investigating the fire.
Daley’s Cold North Seafood’s company officials could not be reached for comment.
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