By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Firefighters spent much of the day fighting with smoldering fires in a sawdust hopper and its funneling system at Shakertown in Winlock yesterday.
They were called to the cedar shake manufacturer at the 1200 block of Kerron Street about 10:45 a.m. and personnel were on the scene until 3:20 p.m., according to Lewis County Fire District 15.
They were assisted by fire departments from Toledo, Napavine and Vader, and eventually called for the ladder truck from the Chehalis Fire Department, according to Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson.
They had climbed the mill’s access ladder to hoist hand-lines to the top of the hopper, some 75-feet in the air, but were unable to achieve total extinguishment that way, according to Anderson.
Eventually the fires were put out and nobody was injured, but the business indicated it may shut down a portion of its operation for at least a month while they deal with cleanup and repairs, according to Anderson.