Eastway911 shuts down suddenly, leaving employees 'blindsided'

A Carleton Place company that specializedin customizing fire trucks and other emergency vehicles shut down suddenly on Monday, leaving two dozenemployees locked out and confused.

A notice on the front door claims that Eastway911 did not pay its $12,000 rent this month and states the Ottawa landlord, Kilkee Corporation,wants $500,000in damages and penalties.

Employees are still not certain if the closure ofthe company is temporary or permanent.

"Everybody was so blindsided. It was just shock,"saidJosh Goodsell, Eastway911'sparts and services manager."As far as I know, we're still employees, we just don't have anywhere to work."

Goodsell told CBC News he and other employees were allowed inside the plant on Tuesday to collect personal belongings. The uncertainty overEastway911'sfateis the most difficult part, he added.

"You don't know, like, should I be looking for another job?" said Goodsell.

A lawyer for Eastway911 told CBC News in awritten statement thatthe rent was overdue because company directorMichael Cappywas out of the country and unavailable to sign a cheque.

The statement said the company is considering how to continue tooperate the business in what it describes as a "challenging and disappointing situation."

"Eastway911 Emergency Vehicles Ltd. has paid municipal taxes and remains ready, willing, and able to pay November rent.It has advised Kilkee Corp. of this fact," the statement added.

CornwallFreightliner, a trucking parts and service company in Cornwall, is one business that's nowlooking at its options after the sudden closure.

Freightlinerframes are part oftwo new trucks atEastway911, andtwo more frames are headed there now,saidsales associate KarlPaschek.

"So, a total of four of them for half a million dollars,"saidPaschek.

KilkeeCorporation refused to comment on the record.