Fire destroys Quebec shrimp processing plant; investigation transferred to police
CTV
Provincial police are investigating after a shrimp processing plant in eastern Quebec was destroyed by a fire on Friday evening.
Provincial police are investigating after a shrimp processing plant in eastern Quebec was destroyed by a fire on Friday evening.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) was called to assist the fire department at around 6:30 p.m. The investigation into the incident was transferred to the SQ on Saturday morning.
"Initially, the investigation was in the hands of the firefighters, but after certain information was obtained, the decision was made to transfer responsibility for the investigation to the Sûreté du Québec," said SQ spokesperson Stéphane Tremblay.
The SQ's Major Crime Investigation Division is responsible for shedding light on the causes and circumstances of the fire. Analysis of the scene will continue throughout the weekend, said Tremblay.
Pascal Bérubé, Parti Québécois (PQ) MNA for Matane-Matapédia, went to the scene and, in the evening, posted a video on X showing flames and a cloud of black smoke billowing from the plant, as well as several firefighters on the scene.
Contacted by telephone, Bérubé said that "the fire appeared to be on a large scale" because there were so many firefighters and responders on site.
In a press release issued early Saturday morning, the City of Matane said that people subject to a preventive evacuation notice could return to their homes.
