Firefighters use a ladder truck to survey the hopper for fire damage. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
An explosion and fire in a wood dust hopper prompted an evacuation at a Centralia sawmill today, but damage was minimal, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
Crews were called just before 2 p.m. to Northwest Hardwoods on the 1000 block of Galvin Road, according to Fire Chief Jim Walkowski.
The fire was contained to the dust collection system, without extension to nearby or surrounding structures, Walkowski said in a news release.
Firefighters remained on the scene for an extended period, extinguishing the burning wood dust as it was unloaded from the hopper and loaded into trucks for disposal, according to the chief.
No injuries were reported.
They were assisted by the Chehalis Fire Department and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter