Local News

In response to an outcry from mill workers worried about the safety of their workplace after two deadly sawmill explosions in less than three months, WorkSafeBC has issued a new directive to govern how B.C. lumber mills deal with sawdust.

Opponents of the Northern Supportive Recovery Centre for Women made their case in court Thursday, arguing that city council improperly rezoned the former Haldi Road school to accommodate the proposed addiction treatment centre.

Tim Morin wants some answers.

The second fatality from the Lakeland Mills explosion has been publicly identified as Glenn Francis Roche, 46. He was the operator of the mill's large head rig.

Premier Christy Clark has reportedly arrived in Prince George and is meeting with victims of the Lakeland Mills disaster, as well as connecting with others involved in the emergency response and economic fallout aspects of the incident.

One person has died as a result of the explosion which destroyed Lakeland Mill at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Monday night. Northern Health confirmed 24 patients were treated following the explosion and fire at the mill, located near River Road.

Crown has laid a charge in a Fort St. James homicide allegation. The incident came to police attention on Saturday morning when Mounties from the Fort St. James detachment were called to the neighbouring community of Tachie.

The Citizen has learned that the RCMP, Prince George Fire Rescue Service, WorkSafeBC and the BC Safety Authority have all been called together to investigate the fatal explosion and inferno at Lakeland Mills.

Highway 16 has been washed out in both directions 85 km east of Prince George. At this time the road has been reduced to single lane alternating traffic. No word on when the road will be fully opened.

Here is an aerial photo of Lakeland Mill the morning after an explosion tore through it late Monday night. At left are emergency crews.Click on the headline, then click on the photo for larger image.