Mass to Be Held Near Site of Quebec Propane Explosion as Three Remain Missing

Mass to Be Held Near Site of Quebec Propane Explosion as Three Remain Missing
Police and fire officials block off a road as police say at least one worker is missing after an explosion at a propane facility in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que. Jan.12, 2023. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz
The Canadian Press
Updated:

SAINT−ROCH−DE−L’ACHIGAN, Que. — A solidarity mass will be held this morning in a town north of Montreal where three people remain missing following a fire and explosion at a propane distribution company.

The service will take place at a church in St−Roch−de−l’Achigan, Que., about 50 kilometres north of Montreal.

Two employees and a subcontractor are still missing as provincial police continue to investigate Thursday’s blast with the help of police arson technicians.

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 were only able to bring the fire under control in the evening.

Police have said they do not believe the explosion was a criminal act but have not established what caused it.

They say the winter weather and the state of the site has complicated the search for victims.