The aftermath of mill fire in Burns Lake, B.C.

The view of the Babine Forest Product Mill from Hwy 16 at 9:15 Saturday morning. Courtesy of Keith Van Tine.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Burns Lake
• Babine Forest Product Mill
• mill
• mill fire
• fire

[danbogart]

I worked for Hampton Lumber for 9 years in Darrington and I just wanted to take a moment to tell the folks in burns lake that your in my thoughts. I think about how similar Darrington and Burns lake are and just how something like this would have devastated Darrington. It's unfortunate that with the pine beetle infestation, soaring log costs and the current economy that the chances of Hampton rebuilding are probably pretty slim. Stay strong Burns Lake.

[mwest70]

i work at this mill nov.25th was 1 year working there i still can't believe it blew up it was the same shift but it was my day off that day i knew evry1 there lots of nice people working there but i sure hope they rebuild sawmill

[sloopy22]

Did the person in the video imply that the planer mill is also gone? The kilns seem fine, but has the planer also been destroyed? I work 45 miles away from Burns, in Houston, at a mill far larger than this one, and can tell you that Houston is also reeling from the shock of this. Many of our employees have worked at Babine, so believe me, the sadness and shock extends here as well.... we've set up a fund for you people also, so some money should be coming soon from us in Houston...

[garycalgary]

@terracon i'm going to borrow your phrase "I'll take your snide comments with little credit" Very wise...

[uberleet01]

Haha

[gmpelam]

@mstrom42 I will certainly thank him when I speak to him next. So glad that your uncle is doing alright, and I hope for a speedy recovery.

[mstrom42]

@gmpelam My uncle Larry was in there too, he's in stable condition in Prince George's hospital right now. Your uncle is amazing. I listened to his interview and read that he helped four people out of there, my uncle could have very well been one of them. Thank him for me if you get the chance, would you? And much love to everyone there from me as well. Very tragic event for the entire community.

[RyanC707]

My brother would have been working there 7 hours after the explosion. I know lots of people that have been injured in this tragedy.

[zoot3zz]

Only two words sum up this tragic event.......Very sad.

[terracon]

@Montoyos1975 I highly doubt that you even lived in that area of B.C., so I'll take your snide comment with little credit. I lived in the Bulkley Valley for 21 years of my life. Even though I love what that area of B.C. had to offer for outdoor activities, when Repap shutdown, that killed the economy in Smithers. Now there is no work in that area of B.C. unless you are willing to work for CANFOR, PIR, or HuckleBerry. Not everyone is cut out to work in those places.