Skip to content

Update: Loader fire at Skeena Sawmills under investigation

Company has backup in place and will be looking for new machine.
8063410_web1_copy_170816-TST-skeena.sawmills.loader.fire

The cause of a log yard loader fire at Skeena Sawmills is still under investigation.

On Aug. 9, at about 5:45 p.m., the city fire department received a call about a fire possibly involving a loader at the sawmill, said deputy chief Dave Jephson.

A fire crew arrived to find the loader fully involved and in an area where machinery is parked and away from buildings, he said.

Firefighters quickly extinguished it and tried to limit any flareups afterward, added Jephson.

About an hour after they were called out, firefighters returned to ensure the flames hadn’t been rekindled, as they do with every call, and found mill workers watching it for the same reason, said Jephson.

Skeena Sawmills vice-president Roger Keery said the machine had been shut down and parked in the loader lot by the operator after completing dayshift.

Another employee saw it on fire and a fire response was initiated, he added.

The Terrace Fire Dept responded and extinguished the fire, said Keery.

“There was no damage to other facilities or equipment and no injuries,” said Keery.

“The loader is a writeoff but a backup machine will take its place so no loss of production will occur. Skeena is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and will be shopping for another machine.”

-the original story did not include the Skeena Sawmills vice-president’s comments. –