Firefighters work the scene after an explosion at a propane company, Thursday, January 12, 2023 in Saint-Roch-de-L’Achigan, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
MONTREAL – The remains of three people have been found at the site of last week’s explosion and fire at a propane distribution company north of Montreal.
Quebec provincial police confirmed today that the victims were located at Propane Lafortune in St-Roch-de-l’Achigan.
Police and forensics specialists had been combing through the site in search of two employees and a subcontractor who were reported missing after Thursday’s blast.
Police spokeswoman Hélène St-Pierre says the remains have been taken to the province’s forensics lab in order to formally identify the victims.
She said experts are still examining the scene and police are speaking with witnesses in order to determine what happened.
The local fire department received calls Thursday morning about an explosion and fire at Propane Lafortune, but the risk of further explosions forced firefighters to retreat and they were only able to bring the fire under control in the evening.
Officials have said the winter weather and the state of the site complicated the search for victims.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2023.
