UPDATED NOV. 12, 4:10 p.m.
A commercial structure fire at a Craigellachie mill has been contained without injury and with all accounted for.
Shortly after noon on Thursday, Nov. 12, Malakwa firefighters were paged to a commercial structural fire at Elite Forest Products on Lybarger Road. It was also reported that two people were missing.
While en route, Malakwa firefighters contacted the Sicamous fire department for mutual aid.
Malakwa firefighters were one the scene in 20 minutes, said Columbia Shuswap Regional District fire services co-ordinator Kenn Mount. The fire was in a workshop on the property belonging to mill manager Ray Hansen.
Unable to save the structure, which contained combustible materials, firefighters proceeded to contain the fire and keep it from spreading.
As for the missing persons, Mount said all were accounted for and no one was reported to have been injured.
BC Ambulance and RCMP personnel were also onsite providing support.
As for the cause, early reports indicate it may have stemmed from welding work done sometime in the morning.
“The reports were that two people in there were doing some hot works welding in the morning and, over a break, either the fire could have ignited when they weren’t in the building. That’s all the info I have so far,” said Mount, noting the investigation is in its preliminary stages.
The News will provide more information as it becomes available.