The manager of the Oriented Strand Board mill in Meadow Lake says the mill may invest in infrared cameras after a fire temporarily shut down the facility.

Around 3 a.m. on Jan. 18, a fire started in the bulk-storage unit located beside the main building.

Mill manager Parker Snyder says no one was injured in the blaze but it did halt operations over the weekend.

He adds the blaze was likely sparked by a loose ember, something that could possibly be picked up next time with an infrared camera.

“We’re not absolutely sure but pretty certain that the fire was caused or related to mobile equipment, which is usual or par for the course, for that particular building,” he says. “This equipment likely made significant contact with the floor structure and created a sort of friction spark or friction ember.”
The fire claimed some excess strandboards and wiring but not much else.