There’s an uncertain future for workers at a rural Lumby mill.
Fire roared through the main production facility at Valley Wood Remanufacturing on Dure Meadow Road Tuesday afternoon.
“We can’t operate. We’re shut down,” said Alistair Bain, company manager.
There are 25 employees at the site.
“There’s so much uncertainty. In the short-term, we can’t operate here so we’re looking at options. We want to get as many people back doing something as soon as possible.”
Any decisions will be partly influenced by insurance.
The fire does not impact the company’s second facility in Lavington.
Firefighters were on scene until 11 p.m. Tuesday night.
“It was fully engulfed when we got here. It’s all wood and hydraulics,” said Tony Clayton, Lumby fire chief.
Besides Lumby, Coldstream, Lavington, Armstrong-Spallumcheen and BX-Swan Lake departments were also on scene.
“We needed the man power and the water trucks,” said Clayton.
It’s believed combustion caused the fire although exact details aren’t known.
“Our guys followed the fire safety plan and no one was injured,” said Bain.
“I also want to commend all of the firefighters involved. They did a good job to contain it.”