At least one person is 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 town where the explosion occurred, SQ spokeswoman Eloise Cossette said it is possible that more people are missing.
No deaths have been confirmed.
Police will not be able to search the scene until the team of about 50 firefighters extinguishing the flames determines it is safe, Cossette explained.
The explosion took place 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 business providing propane services to the Lanaudiere region.
Suzanne Lafortune, who has no connection to the business and lives in the area, said she was evacuated from her home after the explosion and her son rushed to the scene to help.
“I thought it was an accident because I heard the explosion and looked over and saw a big fire and my daughter called 911.” he said, describing the dramatic scene to reporters Thursday afternoon.
“We can’t stay in our house because it’s very dangerous.”
Fire Chief François Thivierge said the first arriving units tried to intervene but had to back off due to the risk of further explosions.
Thivierge said the fire is not under control and officials are being cautious because of safety risks and the environmental risk of oil or gas ending up in a nearby river.
Speaking at the press conference, the mayor of St-Roch de l’Achigan, Sebastien Marcil, tearfully addressed his community.
“My thoughts are with those near and far who have been affected by this incident,” he said.
Buildings within a kilometer radius of the blast have been evacuated, affecting hundreds of residents. A support center is available for those who need it in the basement of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan Church.
Local firefighters are met by firefighters from Repentigny, Rawdon, Ste-Julienne and St-Lin-Laurentides. Police are on scene to assist.
Paramedics are also present but have not yet been able to approach due to the danger.
Anyone in the area is asked to avoid the area.
“My thoughts are with the people of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan and the employees of Propane Lafortune,” Quebec Premier François Legault tweeted, adding: “Please be aware and respect evacuation measures. I would like to thank all the emergency services. teams that are on the scene.”
1/2 My thoughts are with the people of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan and the employees of Propane Lafortune. A search operation is underway to locate the missing employees following an explosion in a commercial building.
— François Legault (@francoislegault) January 12, 2023
Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said his office is “following the situation closely,” adding that “our thoughts are with the workers.”
I was informed of the explosion at a propane plant in St-Roch-de-L’Achigan. We are following the situation closely, @sureteduquebec is on site. Our thoughts are with the workers.
— François Bonnardel (@fbonnardelCAQ) January 12, 2023
— More to come. With archives from The Canadian Press.