In Canada, Quebec provincial authorities have assumed control of the investigation into the extensive fire that engulfed a shrimp processing plant in Matane, located on the Gaspé Peninsula. The fire prompted municipal officials to issue evacuation orders for nearby residents.

Initial Response and Transfer of Investigation

Firefighters from Matane’s Fruits de mer de l’Est du Québec were dispatched to the scene before 7 p.m. on March 29, as smoke billowed from the facility. By midnight, evacuation orders were in place for residents in the vicinity of the plant. Initially, local firefighters led the investigation into the fire’s cause. However, new developments prompted authorities to transfer the case to the provincial police’s major crimes unit, according to Sûreté du Québec officer Stéphane Tremblay.

In response to the incident, Pascal Bérubé, the National Assembly representative for the area, refrained from further commentary until more information became available. Expressing condolences to the affected community, he underscored the significance of the plant’s closure announced just a week prior. The closure dealt a blow to Matane residents, who had hoped for a potential buyer, as highlighted by Bérubé’s statement.

Evacuation and Assessment

The evacuation order was lifted at 5:30 a.m. once firefighters had successfully extinguished the flames, and officials determined there was no imminent threat to air quality. Nevertheless, police have stated that the investigation will persist throughout the weekend, as they meticulously analyze the scene for clues regarding the fire’s origin and cause.

Mayor Eddy Métivier of Matane lamented the closure of the plant, characterizing it as a “catastrophe” for the local fishing industry and a profound shock to the town, which prides itself on its longstanding association with the shrimp harvest. With a population of approximately 14,000 according to the 2021 census data, the closure of the plant carries significant economic and social ramifications for the community.