FARMINGTON — Cleanup efforts in fire-ravaged Lac-Megantic, Quebec are going strong and will continue for the next 12 to 18 months, Ryan Morgan, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said Wednesday.

The town was devastated by an oil train derailment in July that left up to 50 people dead and dozens of businesses destroyed. Firefighters from Maine, including Farmington, immediately responded to Lac-Megantic to assist.

This week, Morgan and Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Franklin, delivered the remaining $6,851 in the relief fund set up in Farmington. In total, the Franklin County area donated $59,351, he said. The Farmington fund totaled $38,851. In the Rangeley area donors raised $17,000 and the Farmington Public Library contributed $3,500, Morgan said.

Morgan said people’s spirits are high and they are still working through the ordeal.

They are in the process of starting their Christmas celebrations and are planning a tree with 47 special ornaments for those lost, he said.

Seven people remain unidentified and their remains have been sent for extensive DNA testing. All others have been accounted for, he said.

They have planted 47 trees to represent the victims.

Morgan said 24 business are still not operating, but they have found new spots for 20 of them and are working on the other four. In one spot, the oil went 75 feet into the ground, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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