At least one person was missing Thursday after an explosion at a fuel distribution company in Quebec’s Lanaudiere region, according to provincial police (SQ).
At an afternoon news conference in St-Roch-de-l’Achigan, the municipality where the explosion occurred, SQ spokeswoman Eloise Cosset said it was possible more people were missing.
There are no confirmed deaths.
Police will not be able to search the scene until the team of about 50 firefighters has declared it safe to extinguish the flames, Cosset explained.
The explosion occurred at 11:17 a.m. Thursday at a propane facility about 50 kilometers north of Montreal. Located on Rte. 339 near Saint-Régis Road, Propane Lafortune is a family-owned company that offers propane services in the Lanaudiere region.
Suzanne Lafortune, who is unrelated to the business and lives in the area, said she was evacuated from her home after the explosion and that her son rushed to the scene to help.
“I thought it was an accident because I heard the explosion and I looked and I saw a big fire and my daughter called 911,” she said, describing the dramatic scene to reporters Thursday afternoon.
“We cannot stay in our home because it is very dangerous.
Fire Chief Francois Thivier said the first crews to arrive tried to intervene but had to withdraw due to the risk of further explosions.
Thivierge said the fire is not contained and officials are being cautious because of the safety and environmental risks of oil or gas entering a nearby river.
Speaking at the press conference, the mayor of St-Roch de l’Achigan, Sébastien Marcille, tearfully addressed his community.
“My thoughts are with those near and far who have been affected by this incident,” he said.
Buildings within a radius of one kilometer from the explosion were evacuated, hundreds of residents were affected. A support center is available for those who need it in the basement of the St-Roch-de-l’Achigan church.
Local firefighters are assisted by firefighters from Repentigny, Rawdon, Ste-Julienne and St-Lin-Laurentides. Police are on scene assisting.
Paramedics are also present but have not yet been able to approach due to danger.
Everyone in the area is asked to avoid the sector.
“My thoughts are with the people of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan and the employees of Propane Lafortune,” Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted, adding: “Please be vigilant and follow evacuation measures. I would like to thank all the emergency services teams that are on the scene.”
1/2 Mes pensées sont avec les gens de Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan et les employés de Propane Lafortune. Une opération de recherche est en cours pour retrouver les Employés qui manquent à l’appel après une explosion dans un immeuble commercial.
— Francois Legault (@francoislegault) January 12, 2023
Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel said his office was “closely monitoring the situation”, adding that “our thoughts are with the workers”.
J’ai été informé de l’explosion dans une usine de propane à St-Roch-de-L’Achigan. On follow la situation de près, la @sureteduquebec est sur place. Nos pensées sont avec les travailleurs.
— Francois Bonnardel (@fbonnardelCAQ) January 12, 2023
— There is more. With files from The Canadian Press.
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