Prince George, B.C. – The massive undertaking that is the investigation of the explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products Friday night moves another step ahead today with RCMP GIS, WorkSafe BC, a structural engineer and other officials on site, waiting to physically search the rubble left by the destruction.   

 

Two men, Carl Charlie and Robert Luggi are missing and presumed not to have survived the explosions that leveled the sawmill. Nineteen people, suffering injuries from extremely critical to relatively minor, were taken into the care of North Health following the blast. As of today, four will be receiving treatment at University Hospital, four at Vancouver General, two at University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, one in Vanderhoof and one at Royal Jubilee in Victoria.

The RCMP have closed and secured the mill site, just east of Burns Lake. Village Mayor Luke Strimbold says “our support continues to go out to the families of those injured and especially the two families of the employees unaccounted for. We are working with the Province of B.C., First Nations and Hampton Affiliates, owner of the mill, on the issues of transitional funding support and timber supply.”

Opinion 250 spoke with Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell late Sunday. He says “right now we’re totally focused on ensuring the site is safe, maintaining support for the injured and supporting the town.” Bell says he’s been in touch with Hampton officials. He says “at some point there may be a role to play to support Hampton and its business. That will be looked at down the road. Right now our focus is on the injured and missing.”

We’d like to repeat that donations to the Lakes District Tragedy Fund can be made at any Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce branch in BC or at the Village of Burns Lake office. Questions regarding donations can be directed to Cindy or Angelika at 250-692-6683.