An explosion and fire at a Quesnel medium density fibreboard mill Wednesday evening caused significant damage but resulted in no injuries.
The fireball was reported at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, at WestPine MDF plant on the north side of the city near Quesnel airport. Eight employees working their shift escaped the inferno uninjured.
Twenty-six part-time and two full-time members of the Quesnel volunteer fire department responded to the blaze and fought the flames for close to two hours.
"It's in the feed-stock area that feeds into the plant in the baghouse and it's designed to blow out and it did its job, but it was a significant explosion and fire," said Quesnel mayor Bob Simpson.
"All personnel were evacuated immediately and accounted for without injury and the fire is now out. The crews are just working on hot spots."
The mill is owned by West Fraser Mills Ltd.
Until the extent of the damage can be assessed, Simpson said there was no way to estimate how long the mill will be shut down. The WestPine MDF mill employs close to 100 workers.
The MDF plant presses wood waste into particle board using a digesting process which involves chemical process. Simpson said those chemicals are stored away from the part of the plant affected by the explosion and fire.
