By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Three fire departments were called to a Centralia wood mill early this morning when a welding spark ignited some nearby materials.
The 3:30 a.m. call to Northwest Hardwoods on the 3300 block of Galvin Road ended well.
“We encountered some smoke but by the time we made entry, the fire had been extinguished,” Riverside Fire Authority Assistant Chief Rick Mack said.
Mack credited a fire sprinkler that followed use of fire extinguishers by workers. Mill manager John Holte said he understood the employees put it out.
Several fire extinguishers were expended, Mack said.
Firefighters got the power shut off, got the smoke cleared and turned the scene over to the business by about 4:40 a.m.
Holte said operations are expected to resume soon when they finish testing equipment.
Northwest Hardwoods employs about 135 people working two production shifts.