Fire destroys smokehouse in Petit-Cap, N.B.

The site of the Elphège & Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. Smokehouse in Petit Cap, N.B., is pictured after it burned down.

A fire has destroyed a smokehouse at the back of a seafood processing plant in Petit-Cap, N.B.

Cap-Acadie Fire Department Platoon Chief Mathieu LeBlanc said they received the call about a structure fire at Elphège & Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. on Quai Road just before 4 p.m.

“We had flames and smoke showing, but it was contained to one building,” said LeBlanc. “The challenge was with the wind and the cold as well.”

LeBlanc said around 40 firefighters from Cap-Acadie and Port Elgin were on scene for about four hours.

On July 9, a major fire destroyed buildings at the same Elphège & Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. facility.

“It was the same operation, except it was one of the older buildings,” said LeBlanc. “It was one of the buildings that survived the fire this summer. All the new buildings were all saved. It was very close to the new ones, but we were able to contain it to that building only.”

No one was injured in either fire.

Natalie Cormier, Chair of the Board for the Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce, said they are extending their full support to the owners of the smokehouse.

“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident affecting yet another business in our region,” said Cormier in a news release sent Friday evening. “While the exact circumstances remain unknown, our thoughts are with the owners and their team during this challenging time.”

Anthony Azard, CEO of the Cap-Acadie chamber, said they will continue to monitor the situation.

“We sincerely thank everyone for their understanding and express our deep gratitude to the various fire brigades in the region, especially the Cap-Acadie brigade, for their swift response to the emergency call,” said Azard.

LeBlanc said the provincial Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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