The tight-knit community of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan endured hours of agony yesterday after a violent explosion blew up a propane distribution company where three employees are still missing.
“I didn’t think about it and ran away to help a woman who was trapped in the rubble,” told the Journal Éric Lizotte, who lives about 400 meters from the Propane Lafortune store.
He was at home clearing snow from his truck when he saw the massive explosion that occurred just after 11am at this family business on the Rang de la Rivière Nord in Lanaudière.
Eric Lizotte went there immediately. On site, he did everything to save the life of this woman: “It was so hot that I put snow on my head to move forward […] I was about two feet from her when the roof collapsed on her. There was nothing left to do. »
At that moment, he backed away from further danger as he heard the sound of propane canisters.
A detonation was heard by several citizens miles away, followed by several others: “It makes an impossible noise. I thought an earthquake because the house was moving a little. When I heard the firefighters and saw the cloud of black smoke in the sky, I understood,” says Sylvain Trépanier over coffee in the St-Roch restaurant.
The force of the explosion even lifted the roof of the shop, which was followed by a violent fire.
Photo agency QMI, Pierre Laurent
Shattered Village
At the end of the evening, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) reported that the village of around 5,400 people was dismayed because at least three employees were missing.
Among them is Céline Pilon, known and appreciated in her municipality according to several residents.
- Listen to Alexandre Moranville, journalist, at the microphone from Mario Dumont QUB radio :
Before working as a secretary for Propane Lafortune, she owned a restaurant in the village for a long time.
Sylvain Trépanier worked there as a chef for 13 years. “L’Harmonie was the meeting place for everyone. People came to have a coffee, a lunch,” he says, feeling a lump in his throat.
The citizens of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan were shocked yesterday and still did not know who was among the victims.
“I just calmed down, I was shocked and in tears. It’s stressful…who are the victims? Everyone knows each other here, which is sad,” says Linda Arsenault, waitress at Bar St-Roch.
Explosion in a shop in Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan: search underway because employees are still missing. Extensive range available. Neighboring houses are evacuated @tvanews pic.twitter.com/OFGYWDC4pj
— Elizabeth Laplante (@ElizLaplanteTVA) January 12, 2023
Leaning against the bar, the few guests present talked about the drama over a beer.
“We wait in the fog. These people, we may know them, we certainly have connections with them, however small they may be. That’s how close we are to our village,” explains a Principale Street resident as she shovels the driveway to her yard.
For his part, Alexandre Mercure, owner of the bistro Saint-Ours, just before dinner last night had only one wish: to go home and hug his family.
Photo agency QMI, Pierre Laurent
“We all have a connection somewhere [avec les victimes] or with someone affected by it,” he adds.
For his part, very emotional and with tears in his eyes after the tragedy, Mayor Sébastien Marcil stressed that “it gets to the heart of what is happening. »
“We all need to overcome this tragedy. Luckily we are a small, close-knit community and everyone helps everyone. We’ve had other ordeals, but I’ll admit no one saw it coming,” he continues.
Violent explosion at a propane supplier. “It jumped in front of me. People were screaming,” says the author of this video@tvanews. He fears the worst for the missing employees. pic.twitter.com/pvKaGu8kcP
— Kevin Crane-Desmarais (@KCrane23) January 12, 2023
evacuation
Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze for hours in the cold and light snow. Several citizens evacuated from their homes were able to take refuge in the church before finally being able to return home just before dinner.
For their part, the Lafortune family, owners of the company, said they are living through their most tragic hours in 60 years of activity.
Photo agency QMI, Pierre Laurent
“We are wholeheartedly with our employees and their families,” she commented in a press release.
The SQ is currently investigating to determine the causes of this tragedy and to locate the bodies of the victims.
- Listen to Maxime Deland, journalist at the QMI agency, on the microphone of Benoit Dutrizac QUB radio :
– With Francis Pilon and Nicolas Saillant
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