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April 6, 1998
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)


The following statement was issued today by Art Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

It was with much sadness and regret that we learned on Friday night of the death of Mr. Jerome Kieley of Holyrood. Mr. Kieley, who was 49, died from injuries he received as a result of a fire and explosion at the Come by Chance Oil Refinery. This unfortunate incident earlier claimed the life of Mr. James Mercer of Bay Roberts.

On behalf of Honourable Members on both sides of the House of Assembly, I wish to express our sincere condolences to Jerome Kieley's wife Joan, his two children Michelle and Kenneth, and to all members of the Kieley family.

This is indeed a most difficult time for the Kieley and Mercer families and our thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of great sorrow. I ask, on behalf of all Honourable Members, that letters of condolence be forwarded to the Kieley and Mercer families. Funeral services for Mr. Kieley will take place on Tuesday afternoon.

As is known, Mr. Rick Connors of Conception Bay was also injured as a result of this fire and explosion. He was discharged from hospital and is reported to be recuperating from his injuries.

An investigation by the fire commissioner into the cause of the fire is still underway. Life safety audits are also underway. These are being led by the fire commissioner in cooperation with officials of Environment and Labour and Government Services and Lands. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the accident and what led up to it until the fire commissioner's investigation is complete and he submits his report.

Government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that when the refinery reopens it is a safe workplace.

1998 04 06 2:10 p.m.

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