Police search for answers at 'vast' Quebec explosion site where three found dead

The investigation into the causes of a fatal blast at a propane company north of Montreal could be long and complex, police said Tuesday after three bodies were found at the site.

The investigation into the causes of a fatal blast at a propane company north of Montreal could be long and complex, police said Tuesday after three bodies were found at the site.

Officials are dealing with a "vast" scene complicated by snow, hazardous materials and objects that were projected far from the scene, provincial police spokeswoman Eloise Cossette said.

"It's a very large scene with piles of debris, so we need to be very careful," Cossette said.

Police announced late Monday they had found the remains of three people missing since last Thursday's explosion at Propane Lafortune, in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., about 50 kilometres north of Montreal. The remains are believed to belong to workers associated with the company, and they have been taken to a lab to be formally identified.

The local fire department received calls Thursday morning about an explosion and fire at Propane Lafortune, but the risk of further explosions forced firefighters to retreat. They were only able to bring the blaze under control in the evening.

The propane company later said the missing people included two employees and a subcontractor.

Five days after the explosion, investigators were "still looking for answers" about what caused the blast, Cossette said. She said there were several types of fuel at the scene, including propane, gasoline, diesel and heating oil.