Hartland reeling after Covered Bridge Potato Chips plant destroyed by fire

People in Hartlandare surveying the charred remains oftheCovered Bridge Potato Chip plant a major employer in the western New Brunswick town.

Firefighters sprayed water and moved debris with an excavator on Saturday, working to fully extinguish hot spots from Friday'sfire.

Mayor Tracey DeMerchant said the loss of the business is tough for the small community. She said the plantemployed 75 to 100 people and also benefited local truckers and farmers.

Covered Bridge was started by Matt and Ryan Albright as a potato distribution company in 2004, before expanding to potato chip manufacturing in 2009, according to the company'swebsite. Covered Bridgegained attention for creating "storm chips," cashing in on the social media trend of Maritimers stocking up on chips before a storm.

"This is a big loss for everyone," she said."We cannot extend enough sympathy and support to the Albrightfamily."

DeMerchant said she's spoken to friends whoworked at the plant and they are devastated.She said the business is an important part of the community and the town has reached out to the owners to offer their support.

"Our hope is that they can build again," she said.

WATCH |Loss of jobs 'devastating' for Hartland

Hartland residents saddened by devastating fire at Covered Bridge potato chip plant

9 months ago

Duration 2:00

Crews spent the weekend dousing hotspots from Friday's fire. Local residents have been visiting the site all weekend.

Tammey McLean was one of several people who came to survey the damage. She said the company was important to the region, both as an employer and a supporter of the community.

"Everything is gone," she said. "It was quite shocking."

McLean said she's talked to some employees who are "pretty upset" and worried about their jobs. She went out to buy a few bags of chips after the firein case supplies ran out.

"There's good community spirit here, I know people will take care of their own. Hopefully, they'll rebuild and people will get back to work," she said.

'It's heartbreaking'

Flames quickly tore through the plantnear the Trans-Canada Highway on Friday. Residents reported thick smoke spreading across the St. John River valley.

Roy Reid, assistant chief of the Hartland Fire Department, said the call about the fire came on Friday at around 5:45 p.m. The building was quickly engulfed in flames.

"After about half an hour the roof collapsed," he said. "We couldn't save it."

Reid said there were about 25 firefighters on scene with support from several other nearby departments. Several continued to work to extinguish the last of the fire well into Saturday, using an excavator.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Debbie Brosser, a resident of the nearby community of Rockland, said she was on her deck Friday evening when she saw smoke coming from the direction of the plant. She said she knows an employee and the family.

"It's a big part of this community. A lot of people have lost their jobs. It's heartbreaking," she said.

"It's just devastating for everybody."