Questions raised after fire destroys firm’s second fish plant this month
By CP STAFF
Industry Food & Beverage Manufacturing fish plant food and beverage lobster manufacturingIndications point to an electrical issue at first lobster processing facility fire.
CAP-PELE, NB — For the second time in just 17 days, a New Brunswick fish processor has lost a major plant to fire, but the company is downplaying speculation of foul play.
A blaze in the morning on Feb. 24 in Cap-Pele destroyed a large lobster processing facility owned by Cape Bald Packers.
Joanna Losier, the manager of corporate affairs and human resources, says the first fire that destroyed a lobster plant in Richibucto this month felt like a slap in the face, but the latest blaze feels like a knockout.
She says the social media rumour mill is rampant with speculation on the cause of the fires, but she says there’s no indication of foul play.
Losier says there are indications pointing to an electrical issue as the cause of the first fire, while fire crews were still investigating the Cap Pele blaze on Feb. 25.
The company employs close to 700 people, and Losier says they’ll try to use them all at a third facility in Cap Pele when the fishing season picks up again in May.
The company buys lobster for processing from across the Maritimes and Maine, and the second facility in Cap-Pele also processes crabs and mussels.
Cap-Pele Mayor Serge Leger says his community is heartbroken but the people are resilient.
