Advertisement

New evidence uncovered at B.C. sawmill inquest

A large fire burns at the Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George, B.C., on Tuesday April 24, 2012. An explosion rocked the sawmill just before 10 p.m. local time setting off a fire that engulfed the facility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Johnson

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – An inquest into a fatal explosion at the Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George, B.C., has been adjourned until next week after new evidence was uncovered.

Coroner Lisa Lapointe has ruled that results of a post-blast investigation by a forensic engineering firm on behalf of the mill’s lawyers is relevant to the inquiry.

A statement released by the coroners service says it became clear that the evidence existed after thorough questioning of witnesses under oath.

However, Lapointe says the evidence is protected by privilege under the Coroners Act and she has asked the mill’s lawyers to allow jurors to hear it at the inquiry.

Lakeland lawyer Gavin Marshall has been asked to provide a decision on Monday, when the inquest is set to resume.

A jury is examining an April 2012 blast that killed two workers, three months after a similar explosion at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices