Just three months after the devastating explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products, there has been another similar incident in Prince George.
Our condolences go out to the family of the two men that passed away as a result of Jan. 23, 2012鈥檚 explosion and fire at the Lakeland Sawmill.
It is a tragic loss to the community when any person is taken away too soon.
Our thoughts and get well wishes go out to all those who were injured in the incident.
Given the size and scope of the inferno, it is quite remarkable that more people weren鈥檛 injured, or worse.
However, that is little comfort for those who now fight to recover and the family members who must also endure the pain.
They will have the support of the community and, undoubtedly, their employer, the Sinclar Group of Forest Products.
This is a family owned business and the loss is devastating.
鈥淎ll of our attention right now is focused on ensuring our employees and their families receive the care they need,鈥� Sinclar Group president Greg Stewart said in a statement issued early last week.
In the days to come we will likely hear many stories of the heroism of those who were not seriously injured in the blast rushing to the aid of those who were.
These stories also emerged after the Babine Forest Products tragedy.
It鈥檚 unimaginable what those who were inside the sawmill endured.
To those heroes, we salute you.
Our hats are also off to all the emergency crews who rushed to deal with this tragedy.
From the fire department, to the police department, to ambulance crews, to hospital staff, to traffic control workers, the community mobilized to deal with the tragedy as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I am sure that there will be plenty of questions arising out of the explosion and fire.
How did it happen?
What caused it?
Could it have been prevented?
What will happen to the people who work at the mill?
Will it be rebuilt? If not, what happens to its fibre supply? Can the planer mill operate without the sawmill?
Will the Prince George District Energy System, which can now run on natural gas, need to look for another fibre supply?
These and many other questions will need to be answered in the coming days and months. But for now, our thoughts are with the workers of the Lakeland sawmill and their families. Once again, our condolences to the families of the men who passed away as a result of the blast and fire, and here鈥檚 hoping for a speedy recovery for all those injured.
Bill Phillips is the editor of the Prince George Free Press.
