'We worked very hard for this place': N.S. meat processing plant destroyed in major fire
Despite the efforts of more than a 100 firefighters from four Nova Scotia counties, a longtime meat processing plant in East Hants went up in flames overnight Sunday.
The Rawdon Fire Department says it got the call about a commercial fire around 10:08 p.m. to the 4200 block of Nova Scotia Trunk 14 in Upper Rawdon, but the four-building complex was fully engulfed when they arrived.
Large fire coming out of roof and back," Rawdon Deputy Fire Chief James Robinson told CTV News.
"Right now, the fire's under investigation. Undetermined causes," he added.
Twenty-eight fire departments wound-up responding to help fight the flames, and successfully protected the other buildings in the yard, including a house, a barn and a recycling depot.
It took about four hours to get the fire under control.
The processing plant, though, was a complete loss as it was reduced to a pile of smouldering rubble.
Nobody was injured, including a flock of sheep grazing in a pasture behind the property.
Area residents tell CTV News the plant had operated for many years before it shut down.
It was purchased and reopened a couple of years ago by new owners, operating it as Scotian Meat Market Ltd.
Originally from Iraq, the owners' son says his parents are devastated by the loss.
"Not too well. We worked very hard for this place," said Adam Kasey.
"We've been renovating it for two years. We got our licence just in February. We got a licence as a red meat processing plant."
Business has been very good, said Kasey, confirming the family recently opened a storefront business in the Halifax area, but no decision has been made about rebuilding the plant on the site.
"Nothing right now," he said. "We're still sort of just trying to digest it."
Investigators could be seen climbing over portions of the rubble on Monday, looking for a possible cause.
Robinson agreed the fire is a significant hit for the area.
"I would say quite a substantial loss for the community. It's been here for a good many years," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.