What was the state of the fire suppression system at the Meadow Creek Forest Products site at the north end of Kootenay Lake?
That will be a key question after the apparent explosion and subsequent fire destroyed the mill Thursday morning.
The local RCMP says there was a rudimentary fire suppression system on site, but its effectiveness was inhibited by the effects of the cold weather.
Regional Fire Chief Terry Swan figures the office of the Fire Commissioner will almost certainly investigate given the recent rash of mill fires …and that’s not all.
RCMP say despite the efforts of mill workers, there was no effective way to suppress the flames.
The fire started at 2-30 am and very quickly engulfed the entire building.It is not being treated as suspicious.
The mill is a 45 minute drive from the Kaslo Fire Hall and out of the protection area.