Deer Island lobster storage facility 'decimated' by fire

Fire destroyed a lobster storage plant on Deer Island on Friday night, despite efforts by volunteer fire departments from surrounding towns and villages that rushed to help battle the blaze.

Thelobster tank house owned by PaturelInternational wasn't in use and no one was hospitalized, said Sean Morton, chief of the St. George Fire Department.

FundyBay, Blacks Harbour and St. George fire departments sent five trucks by ferryto assistDeer Island's fire crews from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Morton said Deer Island firefighters were still on scene "in one form or another" Saturday morning. He saidRCMPand the fire marshal's office were alsoon scene.

"It wasbeingused for storage at this time and it was completely destroyed," he said.

Looking to rebuild

The island in the Bay ofFundy falls within the constituency of MLA Rick Doucet, who is also minister of aquaculture and fisheries. He said hevisited the siteSaturday after keeping in touch with fire crews Friday night.

"It's gone. It's decimated," Doucetsaid by phone Saturday. "The surreal part of it is looking at it and saying we're lucky we didn't have any loss of lives. It's fortunate there's no product that was ready to be shipped."

Although small, the tank house was a major part of lobster fishing on Deer Island.

"It's a small population but the lobster fishery is very strong," he said. "Every single plant, every holding facility plays an integral role, especially when you're dealing with proximity to market."

While visiting the facility, he spoke with representatives of PaturelInternational, who he said are in communication with their insurance company and are "looking to rebuild."

Doucetwillbe meeting with the company later this week.

Deer Island fire department members were occupied with the fire Saturday and could not comment further.