The union representing BC Hydro electricians says luckily, no one was hurt. But crews are dealing with a circuit fault under Beatty and Pender, which actually blew the lid off a man-hole cover this morning. Doug McKay with IBEW local 258 says it points to the obvious problems with BC Hydro's underground system in downtown … [Read more...]
Name of man killed in blast expected tomorrow
The identity of a man who died after setting off explosives in the Kamloops home of his estranged girlfriend should be confirmed tomorrow. The remains of the 48-year old electrician from Surrey were recovered Saturday, but regional coroner Mark Coleman says his name can't be released yet. "I'll review the case with our investigating coroner … [Read more...]
Cause of mill blast still unclear
Worksafe BC has issued an update on its investigation into a deadly sawmill explosion in Burns Lake back in January, but the agency has no real answers yet. The blast destroyed the Babine Forest Products Mill killing two workers and injuring several more. Worksafe Vice-President Roberta Ellis says arson and lightning strikes have been ruled … [Read more...]
Sawmill worker safety and best practices will be targeted after deadly blast.
Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says a new working group on worker safety in sawmills will be formed with the forest industry and labour groups in the coming days. This the result of a meeting held today to discuss mill safety in the wake of the devastating explosions in Burns Lake and Prince George. She said "and there will be a … [Read more...]
Premier offers support to Prince George after deadly sawmill blast
Premier Christy Clark is offering prayers and support to the Prince George residents as they recover from the devastating explosion and fire at the Lakeland sawmill that left one dead last night. Clark paid tribute to the city in the legislature Tuesday. "I also want to commend the countless first responders, the volunteers, the health care … [Read more...]
Victim of sawmill blast identified
The BC Coroners' Service has identified the man killed in last night's sawmill explosion in Prince George. 43-year old Alan Little was a shift supervisor at the Lakeland mill. 10 of his colleagues remain in hospital in serious, but stable condition. Meantime, Worksafe BC has issued an immediate order for safety inspections of all sawmills in … [Read more...]
RCMP in B.C. warn of explosives use in blast
VANCOUVER - The Mounties are pouring extra resources into an investigation in which explosives were used in a blast that tore through a motor home near Whistler, B.C., injuring two men.The men suffered minor injuries in the Jan. 16 explosion, which police are calling a targeted attack.The RCMP's Criminal Operations Office has taken over the case … [Read more...]
Men missing after Burns Lake sawmill blast identified
The two men still missing after an explosion at a sawmill in Burns Lake has been identified. Carl Charlie and Robert Luggi are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, a machine operator at the mill is speaking out, claiming the disaster could have been prevented. "I honestly don't believe that sawmill should have been running that week,” … [Read more...]
Carole James heads to Burns Lake to support family after sawmill blast
Former B.C. NDP leader Carole James is travelling to Burns Lake to be with family and friends after a huge explosion destroyed the village’s largest employer, a sawmill. James, whose husband is chief of the First Nation there, says the community is in shock. "The mill, Babine Forest Products, is such a part of the community. Everyone … [Read more...]
Burns Lake Village confirms 25 people working at sawmill at time of blast
The Village of Burns Lake is confirming for the first time details in Friday night’s massive explosion at a saw mill. A statement from the village, the local First Nation and the regional district say about 25 workers were on shift at the time of the blast, shortly after 8 p.m. Northern Health says 19 people were taken to hospital and at … [Read more...]