Independent MLA Bob Simpson says he has no idea what caused the explosion and fire at the Lakeland mills operation in Prince George, but there are similarities with a similar blast that levelled the Babine forest products mill in Burns Lake last winter. Simpson says one common factor might be sawdust from timber killed by the mountain pine beetle, which is drier and more explosive than dust from green wood.
“So again there may be absolutely no correlation between Burns Lake and Lakewood, I want to be very clear about that, but it’s very unusual in British Columbia to have two mill explosions like this that have a similar feel to them like this, instantaneous, catastrophic, people not even getting the opportunity to get out of the mill.”
Simpson says if Worksafe BC suspects there is an issue around Pine Beetle Wood, they should give the industry a heads-up.
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