On June 30, 2015, the Burns Lake fire department was called to a fire at Decker Lake Forest Products at 1:17 p.m.
Burns Lake fire chief Jim McBride said the sprinkler system contained and knocked down the fire prior to the arrival of the fire crews on scene.
“Once on scene the fire department did an extensive overhaul extinguishment of the entire effected area of the planner mill,” he said.
McBride said the incident was the result of “hot works” being done in the planner mill when a wielders’ spark ignited some wood waste.
One mill employee was treated for minor smoke inhalation and there were no injuries to any member of the Burns Lake fire department.
According to Steve Zika, Chief Executive Officer of Hampton Affiliates, one of the mill’s maintenance employees mistakenly did not follow the proper process for protecting the area.
“We have reinforced with our employees the proper procedures involved in welding or any work with risk of fire so this should be an isolated incident,” he said.
Zika added that the injured employee is now well, and that mill suffered no property damage.