Owners of B.C. mill where deadly explosion occurred fined over $700,000

WorkSafeBC has hit the owners of a Prince George sawmill with hefty fines.

An explosion and fire at the Lakeland Mill in April 2012 killed two men and injured 24 others.

While no criminal charges will be laid, in part because WorkSafeBC bungled its investigation, the agency has fined the owners more than $700,000.

WorkSafeBC says it’s among the largest fine of its kind, but it doesn’t reflect the scope of the loss endured by workers and their families.

“The dollar value of a penalty or claims cost levy does not and cannot reflect the loss of lives and the pain and suffering of workers and families,” reads a statement from WorkSafeBC.

Catherine Urquhart reports.