BAY DE VERDE, N.L. — The mayor of a Newfoundland town that saw its sprawling fish plant burn to the ground has lifted a state of emergency.
Gerard Murphy of Bay de Verde ended the order late Monday, hours after the Quinlan Brothers fish plant was destroyed by a massive fire.
The blaze, which broke out at about 6 a.m. Monday, forced the evacuation of three quarters of the town's 400 residents.
Fanned by strong winds, the flames ripped through the plant which was the economic engine of the town and many surrounding communities.
Dozens of people who were forced out of their homes were housed at the local school and Lions club.
The plant processes crab, shrimp and groundfish and would have been in full force with 700 people employed next week.
