Explosion in Saint Roch de lAchigan Still no news from three employees

Employees may have been saved from blast for doctor’s appointment, ex-employee says

A longtime former employee of Propane Lafortune confided in the terrible disaster that struck the community of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan on Thursday afternoon.

• Also read: Powerful explosion: he did everything to save a woman who was stuck in the rubble

• Also read: IN PICTURES | The before and after of the explosion at Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan

• Also read: Explosion in Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan: Still no news from three employees

The massive explosion blew up the family business and forced the evacuation of homes within a 1 km radius.

“It was as if we had lifted and dropped three mechanical shovels,” explains Viateur Lamarche in an interview with Mario Dumont.


PIERRE LAURENT/ QMI AGENCY

The man had stopped working due to COVID, but when employed, he returned to business around 11:45 a.m., around the time the blast took place.

Mr. Lamarche knew well the three ladies who worked in the shop, women in their sixties, possibly those still being sought in the rubble.


SCREENSHOT / VAT NEWS / QMI AGENCY

According to him, one of the employees escaped the explosion because she had a doctor’s appointment, he says.

He says he is deeply affected by the tragedy.

“They’re childhood friends, which always touches us a lot,” he adds.

***Watch his full interview in the video above.***