Many people in Markdale are expressing shock over the latest blow to their community.
Resident Kelly Thompson tells Bayshore Broadcasting News it looks like things come in threes.
She says first it was a tornado, then a fire at the dump – and now, Chapman’s Ice Cream plant has been completely destroyed by a fire.
Thompson says it’s been a tough couple of weeks and many people are just plain stressed.
Thompson lives on Main Street West, just four doors down from the Chapman’s plant.
Hers was one of the 60 residences evacuated after the fire broke out Friday morning.
She says she has family she can stay with, but there are probably many who don’t and who need the community to pull together once again.
Thompson says it’s also going to be a very difficult time for the families of the 400 Chapman’s employees.
She says everyone in Markdale knows someone who works there.
Thompson adds everyone in the community is asking what can be next after a string of what she calls very bad luck.
Chapman’s is the community’s largest employer – and all shifts have now been cancelled.
Bob Buckton is a Stationary Engineer in the Maintenance Department.
He says he is scheduled for shifts this weekend, but company HR has told him not to come in until further notice.
Buckton says he does have plans to keep busy – he wants to get in touch with Penny and David Chapman and see what can be done to help them in their hour of need because of all they’ve done for his family.
Buckton says with everything that Markdale has experienced lately, he believes the Chapman’s fire will pull the community even closer.
Mike Hamilton also works in the Maintenance Department at Chapman’s.
He was one of the first to see the flames race across the ceiling of what’s called the PC room and quickly paged the news across the plant.
Hamilton says while everyone was able to get out safely, it’s sad to see the 150 year old plant go.
He says Chapman’s has long been a big part of town, growing from a small business to having 400 people relying on the company for their income.
Chapman’s Vice President Ashley Chapman tells Bayshore Broadcasting News the company will rebuild in Markdale.
The fire at the plant began around 10 o’clock Friday morning, and is believed to have been accidentally sparked by a welder doing work outside.