On Sunday the community marks the anniversary of one of the worst industrial disasters in B.C. history - the explosion and fire that killed two workers, injured many more, destroyed Babine Forest Products sawmill, displaced hundreds from employment, and put the forest industry on notice that unexpected danger was lurking in lumber factories.
Robert Luggi Jr. and Carl Charlie died while about 24 others survived the destruction.
A second eerily similar explosion and fire only three months later had almost exactly the same effect. Glenn Roche and Alan Little died in that incident.
The January 20 anniversary of the Babine blast will be observed with ceremonies in Burns Lake where the incident occurred. The remembrance service will start at 1 p.m. with a welcoming from Burns Lake mayor Luke Strimbold and an opening prayer.
The list of guest speakers includes members of the B-shift crew working that night, members of the victims' families, and representatives of the mill's ownership company Hampton Affiliates. Both CEO Steve Zika and third-generation family owner David Hampton are on the agenda.
