Sinclar Group president Greg Stewart fought back tears as his thoughts turned to two men who lost their lives in Monday's sawmill explosion at Lakeland Mills.
Glenn Roche, 46, died early Wednesday morning at University Hospital in Edmonton, where he had been transported by air ambulance on Tuesday. Alan Little, 43, died at University Hospital of Northern B.C. a few hours after the fire began.
"I want to acknowledge and honour the two employees that have lost their lives in this tragic incident," said Stewart. "This is by far the most serious incident that we've had within our group of companies and to have two lives lost as a result of this is devastating for all of us. There really aren't words to describe how I feel. I'm devastated. It's the hardest thing that anyone in our company's had to deal with."
An 18-year Lakeland employee, Little worked the past two years as a supervisor. Little was the last sawmill worker to exit the building. According to one mill employee, it is believed he was checking to make sure nobody had been left behind when the smoke and flames got to him.
"He was a phenomenal individual and he was well-respected by all that worked with him and he's going to be a significant loss to this community and obviously to our company," said Stewart.
Roche's job was to operate the large headrig saw and it's believed he was in that area in the northeast section of the building when the mill blew up.
"Glenn Roche was incredibly well-respected," said Stewart. "He's a 29-year employee of Lakeland. He's been a member of our family, our team for that period of time and the energy he brought to the job on a daily basis was respected and revered by all that worked with him. His opinions, his contributions and commitment to the company was hugely respected as well.
"Both individuals are a significant loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this time."
Eight Lakeland employees remain hospitalized, including five patients at UHNBC. Two mill workers are in Vancouver General Hospital and one is in Victoria at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Lakeland has set up grief counselling services for employees and their families and has booked a room at a local hotel that's available 24 hours per day.
"We continue to be focused on the employees that remain in hospital and we're setting systems and processes for their families so they can get the help they need in addition to support for the employees," said Stewart. "We're a family-based company and we're committed to our family and we're going to provide with them the support they need."
Firefighters were able to save the adjacent planer mill but Stewart said it is too early to speculate if the destroyed sawmill will be rebuilt.
"[Rebuilding] has not been our focus at this time," Stewart said. "That is a decision that will come later and at this point we don't have a plan around when that will happen."
