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A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s
Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George goes up in flames following an explosion Monday evening. Northern Health has confirmed there was one fatality as a result of the blast and subsequent fire.
Explosion and fire at Lakeland One fatality, 13 injured – Explosion rocked houses and businesses downtown
Delynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com
One person is dead, two were transferred by air ambulance to Vancouver, one to Victoria and one will be sent to Edmonton, six remain at the Prince George hospital in serious condition and 13 people were treated and released followed an explosion and fire at Lakeland Mills Monday night. The explosion literally rocked the downtown area. At 9:38 April 23 the fire department
responded to a report of an explosion at Lakeland Mills. Emergency crews, the ambulance service and the RCMP attended the scene and found the mill engulfed in flames. Emergency crews were told there were about 50 employees on the site at the time of the explosion. Twenty-five of them, who were working in the planer mill, weren’t hurt as the explosion happened in the filing area of the mill. Twenty-one of the remaining 25 were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe burns.
The fire was too dangerous to maintain and crews must let it burn out, which is expected to take about 24 hours, according to Prince George Fire Chief John Lane. A press release from Sinclar Group Forest Products confirms the sawmill was completely destroyed. Details on damage to the rest of the site, which includes a planer mill, are not available at this time. “We’re devastated by the news of this incident and our thoughts are with our employees and their families,” said Greg turn to PAGE A3
Bill PHILLIPS/ Fre e Pre s s
Fire at Lakeland Mills.
Premier
Lakeland Mills
Prince George Mayor
Shari Green
Christy Clark
“We’re devastated by the news of this incident and our thoughts are with our employees and their families. We will not speculate on the cause of the incident at Lakeland Mills until the proper authorities have completed their investigation. All of our attention right now is focused on ensuring our employees and their families receive the care they need.”
“The explosion and fire is devastating and our sole focus is for the well-being of everyone affected. This is a difficult time, and emergency and health responders are doing everything they can. Please pray for those injured and for the difficult road ahead for them, their families and our whole community.”
“The response within the community has been remarkable - emergency officials managed to keep the fire from spreading under extremely adverse conditions, neighbours rushed onto the scene to offer their assistance, and health officials worked through the night treating the injured. Prince George is truly a steadfast, caring community.”
Greg Stewart