A fire has destroyed several buildings at a fish processing plant in southeastern New Brunswick.
Fire crews were called to Elphege et Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. in Petit-Cap around 5 a.m. Monday.
Yves LeBlanc, deputy chief of the Cap-Acadie Fire Department, said the initial call was for smoke in the area.
“Originally it got upgraded to a garage fire. Once I showed up on scene, I was the first member on scene, it was a large fish processing and smokehouse plant,” LeBlanc told our newsroom.
A total of 45 firefighters from five different departments battled the flames for several hours.
LeBlanc confirmed that three of the four buildings on site were destroyed in the fire.
“One building, it was a smokehouse/warehouse was able to be saved,” he said.
The deputy fire chief said the biggest challenge for firefighters was the weather.
Most of New Brunswick is under a heat warning due to high temperatures and humidity.
“People have to take into consideration hydration and not overexerting themselves,” said LeBlanc.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the province’s fire marshal.
According to LeBlanc, the company employs about 80 people in the area and is a major employer for the region.
In a statement, the chair of the Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce said the news of the fire deeply saddens them.
“Although the causes of this incident have yet to be determined, we would like to express our unwavering support to the owners and their entire team at this difficult time,” said Natalie Cormier.
Chamber officials also encouraged residents to avoid speculation on what caused the fire and to let investigators do their work.
There have been several fires in the Cap-Acadie area in recent months, including a January blaze that destroyed the Quai Aboiteau Wharf Restaurant.
“Until we have concrete results, we will refrain from drawing conclusions on the current situation. Right now, we need to support the owners who have just lost an important asset,” said CEO Anthony Azard.
