Two fireworks explosion victims identified

COTEAU-DU-LAC – Provincial police released the names of the two victims of the fireworks warehouse explosion, along Highway 20.

They are Francine Lacroix, 47, of Rivière Beaudette, and Nicole Brisson, 58, of Les Couteaux, according to the Sureté du Québec.

The blaze flattened a large warehouse filled with fireworks. Amateur videos shot with cellphones show a steadily growing plume of smoke accompanied by thick flames. At times fireworks would shoot into the air as firefighters battled to get the disaster under control.

The Quebec Health and Safety Board launched an investigation Friday morning into what happened at the BEM fireworks warehouse when it burst into flames shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday.

One of the early questions investigators will ask: why there are no fire hydrants near an area where fireworks are stored and sold?

Another question that should be firmed up soon is the cause of the fire. Initial reports indicate it was likely an accident.

The explosion comes just before the annual St-Jean-Baptiste weekend, which tends to involve heavy use of fireworks. At least four municipalities in the area have cancelled their annual fireworks displays in remembrance of the victims: Les Cedres, Saint-Lazare, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, and Vaudreuil-Dorion.