Capital Seafood fish plant fire was accidental, say Halifax fire officials

A fire that destroyed a lobster processing facility in Nova Scotia's Eastern Passage last week was an accident, an investigation has found.

The blaze at the two-storey Capital Seafood facility on Government Wharf Road started Nov. 16.

The ignition source was electrical and the fire started in abuilding office, according to Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency'swebsite.

No one was injured.

Company pledges support

The plant isowned by Chinese companyZoneco,and as of last May employed about 60 people. The company has said it will repair and rebuild the plant.

"We will support [the fishermen] in whatever way we can," saidZoneco manager Jack Liu.

Liu saidnow that the cause of the fire has been determined, they can move forward with insurance.

"Anything that's going to help speed up the process and get the insurance process moving forward would be good news for us."

The company saidit plans to use stores of frozen bait to help fishermen who lost any in the fire.

Some out of work

Some people who work at the processing portion of the plant could be out of a job until business picks up over the winter months.

"From an employment standpoint, peak season is coming up, I would expect the majority of our team will be ableto come back with work to do," saidLiu.

The firedid not affect the live lobster shipment area, which has continued to operate.

The company expects fishermen will have a place to put their catch in the undamaged section after dumping day next week.