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.
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