Fire out at Kalesnikoff Lumber

No one was injured in a fire at Kalesnikoff Lumber this afternoon, but damage is described as “significant.”

Tarrys Fire Chief Greg Patterson said five fire departments responded to the call at about 1 p.m. and spent three hours on the scene. The sawmill’s own fire brigade did their own initial attack, which was “a great benefit.”

The cause was fan bearing that overheated in a mechanical room at the southeast corner of the mill, Patterson said. Radiant heat spread the fire into walls.

“It was a little bit of a challenge to get everything out,” he said. “There’s definitely some significant damage to the mill, but things that can be repaired and replaced, and the structure itself is still sound.”

About 50 firefighters responded from the Tarrys, Beasley, Crescent Valley, Ootischenia, and Castlegar departments. Castlegar provided aerial apparatus to give firefighters the height they needed to attack the fire.

Patterson said Kalesnikoff is assessing the damage, but he didn’t think that it would prevent the mill from continuing to operate.

He added that they typically get one to two calls from the mill each year, but this fire was larger than most. The Tarrys fire hall is directly across the highway from the mill.

Greg Nesteroff
Greg Nesteroff
Greg has been working in West Kootenay news media off and on since 1998. When he's not on the air, he's busy writing about local history. He'll soon publish a book about the man who founded the ghost town of Sandon.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Rainy weather not enough to dampen wildfires in B.C.

Officials in British Columbia warn wildfires in the northeast and southwest are expected to persist despite rain and cooler temperatures this week.

Accused strawberry thief arrested in Trail

A 40-year-old Trail man is awaiting a bail hearing after being arrested following an attempted break-in that netted some strawberries and a pair of shoes.

Russian program being phased out at Castlegar school 

A signature program in the Kootenay-Columbia school district is saying a long goodbye. 

UPDATED: Genelle crash a ‘scary close call,’ police say

Highway 22 is closed at Genelle following a collision between a motorcycle and a dump truck.

Rossland moving to Stage 2 water restrictions Monday

Alternate day watering will be based on residential street numbers.
- Advertisement -