July 30, 1997
(Works, Services and Transportation)


The following statement was issued today by Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, regarding the recent explosion and fire in St. Barbe:

I would like to publicly express my sincere appreciation to the employees of the Department of Works, Services, and Transportation; Puddister Trading Company; contractors; and residents of St. Barbe, Blanc Sablon and Port Saunders for their extraordinary effort and determination in handling the crisis in St. Barbe which resulted from the explosion on the PetroLab on July 19, 1997.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of William Normore and the injuries to his three crew members and I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the families affected by the explosion and the fire.

I would also like to recognize all of those who worked to put out the fire and to evacuate residents and those who worked around the clock to put in place alternate arrangements to allow for the continuation of the Straits ferry service. This crisis illustrated the tremendous abilities of Newfoundlanders to work together in time of crisis and achieve extraordinary results.

1997 07 30 2:25 p.m.

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