Fire Destroys Lumber Mill, Causes $1 Million In Damage

BELLINGHAM - Fire that destroyed a lumber mill yesterday sent up a column of thick black smoke visible for miles.

The blaze at the Cedartone Forest Products Inc. mill caused at least $1 million damage, said Bellingham Fire Department Capt. Don Beattie.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Neighbors reported the fire, which broke out after the mill's 20 employees had left for the day, Beattie said.

More than 40 firefighters battled the Cedartone blaze for three hours.

Destroyed was the main building, a U-shaped structure about 150 feet by 200 feet.

Several forklifts and mill equipment inside the building were also lost, Beattie said.

The site is adjacent to the Meridian Lumber Co. mill, destroyed by fire in September 1993. That blaze was started by a spark from a grinder.