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Weather: Montreal, January 8th 2009 / -9°C / Light snow / Wind: 13 Km/h / Humidity: 85 %

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Quebec commission: several factors led to fatal collapse of snow-covered roof

Article online since November 19th 2008, 0:00
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MONTREAL - Quebec's health and safety commission says several factors led to last winter's collapse of a snow-covered roof northwest of Montreal which killed three women.

A 100-page report points specifically to a decorative awning installed at the base of the roof of the building adjoining the food-distribution warehouse in Morin Heights.

The report says the parapet acted as a sort of wall which allowed snow to build up.

It also says snow and ice accumulation exceeded the warehouse roof's capacities and that renovations had not been properly inspected.

The report says the owners of the Gourmet du village Morin Heights will have to pay a fine of between $5,000 and $20,000 because they acted in a way that compromised the safety of employees.

But the commission's report says they were not to blame for the March 12 tragedy, pointing the finger instead at faulty engineering.

Several days before the collapse, employees complained about a crack in the warehouse building and noted that it was hard to open the cafeteria door.

The owners contacted a snow-removal firm, but it was busy elsewhere and wasn't able to come out.

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