| Comments | Notre-Dame-du-Lac QC, May 14, 2002. A fire destroyed l'Abattoir du Breton, located in a small community in eastern Quebec. Of the 3200 residents, 1700 were evacuated due to their proximity to the abattoir (a 1.5 kilometre radius). A total of 2600 pigs died in the fire. The abattoir was the main employer in the region and 500 people lost their jobs. Emergency officials were concerned about the health hazards of ammonia, possibly in either the air or in the town's water system. Thirty residents were again evacuated when it was proven that ammonia was leaking from the abattoir. |