Second Death In Lakeland Mills Fire
PRINCE GEORGE – The BC Coroners Service has confirmed late this evening that a second worker from the Lakeland sawmill in Prince George has died as a result of Monday evening’s explosion and fire.
The injured worker was transferred from the University Hospital of Northern BC by air ambulance to the University of Alberta hospital in Edmonton.
Barb McLintock with the BC Coroners Service says the man was transferred for more specialized care; however, despite the best efforts of medical staff there, he died early Tuesday evening.
McLintock says the worker’s identity will not be released until it is confirmed that all next of kin have been notified.
Another worker, Alan Little, died at the University Hospital of Northern BC at approximately 5:30am Tuesday morning.
The Coroners Service has launched an investigation into the two deaths. The investigation will be undertaken in conjunction with the RCMP, the city of Prince George Fire Service, and WorkSafe BC.
McLintock says, "The Coroners Service would like to express its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of both deceased, and also its sympathy to those injured in the blast."
Comments
I have worked in the Forest Industry in sawmills for over 35 years. Sawmills don’t explode, they may catch on fire and burn but not explode then burn. In 35 years I have never heard of a sawmill exploding, now we have two in three months? I believe the RCMP should treat this as a criminal investigation and bring in properly trained investigators like the ones that investigate plane crashes etc, not WCB.I can’t believe this is caused by dust, not possible. The Babine Forest Products investigation should be reopened. I have spoken with several other people in the forest industry and they also believe it is suspisious
I have worked in the Forest Industry in sawmills for over 35 years. Sawmills don’t explode, they may catch on fire and burn but not explode then burn. In 35 years I have never heard of a sawmill exploding, now we have two in three months? I believe the RCMP should treat this as a criminal investigation and bring in properly trained investigators like the ones that investigate plane crashes etc, not WCB.I can’t believe this is caused by dust, not possible. The Babine Forest Products investigation should be reopened. I have spoken with several other people in the forest industry and they also believe it is suspisious
I don’t see how you figure that a dust explosion isn’t possible. Its been proven over and over that a high concentration of fine sawdust can and will explode with extreme force.
However, speculation at this time is futile. The investigation will take many months to complete. Until then its all speculation as to the cause.
It has to do with the moisture of the wood green wood has a moisture content of 35% and the beetle wood is down at 5-10% before they start cutting and drying it. That is why it becomes explosive
Dust explosions are pure speculation by people who dont have any clue about sawmills. The media has done a great job of planting this tidbit of speculation without veryifying anything..
I too have worked in sawmills for many years as well. Sawmills dont normally explode because of dust. Once in a while you may get a small exlosion in a cyclone but that usually will happen in a planer mill and they are contained to the dust extraction system. Past explosions are usually a result of something coming into contact with a gas line or compressed gas cylinder that has enough force to level a building. Dust explosions are usually contained in a confined space and normally dont have enough power level a sawmill facility and shake windows up to 4kms away. Dust explosions can blow doors off but once the force leaves the confined space it is disapated. If dust was the case there would be a sawmills, wood shops, and pellet plants blown up and leveled every day.
We’ve been logging and sawing bug killed wood for years…so why would it suddenly start causing mills to explode now.
@northman
As the attached video shows a dust explosion can affect a whole building.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg7mLSG-Yws
As I previously posted I hope that in an effort to clean the fine dust from beams and perlins that they do not make the mistake of using an air hose. This will just create the perfect conditions for another disaster.
Not sure if the practice of using an air hose for normal day to day clean up is still widespread, but this too is a big mistake. The bigger particles stay on the ground but super fine dust becomes airborne and I’m sure there is more of this powder with beetle kill wood.
One other point to consider, largest conventional weapon in the US arsenal is a fuel/air bomb, in essence a man made dust explosion.
@gitterdun
The standing dead timber continues to dry out resulting in more fine dust when milled.
When the standing timber is dead it is becomes checked and cracked and can’t be milled. Those trees can be used for pulp.
Each mill has their own guidelines for beetle infested wood that can be used for lumber. Usually the trees that meet the specs are the ones that still have the orange needles and the bark is intact.
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