Burns Lake, B.C. – The mayor of Burns Lake says his community of roughly 3,000 people is well positioned to accommodate the recently announced inquest into the Babine Forest Products sawmill explosion this summer.

“We do believe we have the accommodation necessary to facilitate those that will be here for the inquest,” says Luke Strimbold.

“There’s a least four hotels, there’s also a bed and breakfast and there are other lodging facilities as well.”

He adds it’s important to note Burns Lake has hosted other sizeable events before, including last year’s Lake Babine Nation annual general assembly, and the Minerals North Conference in 2012.

“Minerals North brought in 300 delegates and the Lake Babine Nation 60 plus people.”

Strimbold says he supports the chief coroner’s decision (Lisa Lapointe) to split the Lakeland and Lake Babine inquests and hopes it will help the community heal – something he notes has been an ongoing process.

“The healing itself is a process, a journey that people are going down. I think there are some that are doing their best to move on and there are some that are still having challenges and needing support from their family and friends in the community.”

The inquest in Burns Lake gets underway July 13th.