Around 60 employees from a Petit-Cap fish processing plant are temporarily out of work.
The fire broke out at Elphège & Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. early Tuesday morning.
Cap-Acadie Mayor Serge Léger says residents are concerned because of the number of fires at area businesses over the past few years.
“I was in shock and surprised, and said to myself, not again,” says Léger.
He assures residents they are working on it and an investigation is underway.
No employees were at the smokehouse when the fire broke out and no one was injured. There’s no word on a cause yet.
“We’re going to have a meeting in a few weeks to bring things out and see where we go from there,” Léger adds.
The mayor says the plant is a big exporter of smoked herring and economically benefits the community.
RELATED: Fire destroys 3 buildings at Petit-Cap fish plant
Yves LeBlanc, deputy chief of the Cap-Acadie Fire Department, confirmed that three of four buildings on the site on Quai Road were destroyed by the fire.
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.
