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Explosion at Quebec propane facility: man recounts rescue attempt

Marisela Amador –

As ceilings and walls fell on a woman desperately fleeing the scene of an explosion at a propane distribution company in Quebec, Éric Lizotte could only watch in horror.

The resident of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Que., whose home is just meters from Propane Lafortune, said he was trying to rescue the unnamed woman and anyone else trapped in the bright explosion. Thursday.

Three people are still missing after the explosion that Lizotte said left him concussion and grappling with indelible images, particularly regarding his aborted rescue attempt.

“As I tried to remove the debris, I felt intense heat. It was a furnace. It was unbelievable. I covered my head with snow to try to reduce the heat as I tried to get closer to the woman. . I heard explosions coming from all directions,” Lizotte said in an interview Saturday from his home about 50 kilometers north of Montreal.

“I was about 2 feet away from her. At that time, I saw a part of the roof was about to collapse. I hesitated to move forward, when suddenly, it began to collapse, grabbing the opposite part.” against the wall, falling completely on her. And in a matter of seconds, the fire burst. There was nothing I could do, so I walked out and left.”

Two employees and a subcontractor are still missing as prefectural police continue to investigate the explosion with the help of police technicians. Hydro-Québec is also assisting with the investigation, according to local authorities.

Firefighters work at the scene after an explosion at a propane company, Thursday, January 12, 2023 in Saint-Roch-de-L’Achigan, Que. REPORT CANADA/Ryan Remiorz

Police said they do not believe the explosion was a crime but have not determined what caused the explosion.

Lizotte said he was clearing snow from his pickup truck when the explosion occurred. He said that although he didn’t hear anything, he saw part of the roof being blown up into the sky.

“I quickly told my partner to call 911, and I got in my other car, and I rushed to the location. It took me about 45 seconds,” he said.

Lizotte immediately noted heavy damage to a nearby garage before turning its attention to the entrance to corporate headquarters.

“Everything fell apart,” he said. “(The explosion) blew (off) parts of the administrative side.”

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 could only control the fire in the evening.

At a news conference on Friday, authorities said it could take several days before they complete work on the razed building.

Quebec provincial police spokesman Sgt. Éloïse Cossette describes the scene as very complex.

“We will continue to search the scene with our experts,” Cossette said. “At least we’re missing three people.”

Neither the police nor Propane Lafortune provided any updates on Saturday on the status of the missing workers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 14, 2023.



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