Fire destroys crab processing plant in Cottlesville
A fire has destroyed a crab processing plant in New World Island, on Newfoundland's northeast coast.
Rod Wheeler, the mayor of Cottlesville, said the fire broke out at the Breakwater Fisheries plant around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.
He said it took about five hours and crews from two fire departments to get the blaze under control.
Fire crews from Summerford and Twillingate and police were still on the scene as of 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
RCMP said the fish plant sustained extensive damage to the building and its contents.
A fire protection officer from the Office of The Fire Commissioner was at the scene Sunday afternoon.
Police said no one was in the building when the fire broke out, and no injuries were reported.
'It was devastating'
Wheeler said he was shocked to hear the news.
"It was devastating. Actually devastating," he said.
"That fish plant is a major employer to not only this town, but the whole area."
It was anticipated that more than 100 full-time employees and 50 part-time employees would have started work in April.
