St. Mary's fish plant destroyed by fire as crews face hurricane

The fish plant in the Newfoundland community of St. Mary's has burned to the ground as the community faces hurricane force winds and heavy rain.

St. Mary's Mayor Steve Ryan told CBC News Tuesday that the fire was reported to him earlier in the night. He said he was the first person on scene at the St. Mary's Bay Inc. fish plant, and said much of the building was already lost.

Some residents evacuated in Trepassey as heavy winds, rain continue to pound N.L.

There are three fire crews on site, Ryan said, but they are facing hurricane force winds as a weather bomb sweeps across the province. Ryan said the structure was gone before crews could even get to the fire.

Winds at Cape St. Mary's were reportedly gusting as high as 172 km/h, according to meteorologist Rodney Barney.

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