Fire investigation continues
by Kootenai Valley Record
March 18, 2010
The fire that destroyed the former plywood plant at the Kootenai Business Park Industrial District on the night of Feb. 25 remains under investigation, with information as to the cause or starting point of the blaze as yet unavailable for public release.
"We’ve made some headway, but I really can’t give any of the details," said Deputy Kirk Kraft of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. "It’s a continuing process."
Kraft is working with state fire investigators on the issue. The fire destroyed the former plywood plant along with several rail cars belonging to Revett Minerals, which had been using the building to store concentrate from the Troy Mine prior to shipment; an excavator and other equipment owned by JT Welding, which had been doing demolition work on the building; and two forklifts, a planer and other equipment owned by Wedge Wood Products, which was using a portion of the structure to manufacture wooden stakes and wedges.
Health concerns have been raised over the presence of anthophyllite and chrysotile asbestos in ash from the fire. The asbestos was a component in roofing materials and pipe wrapping used at the plant. A contractor hired by the industrial district analyzed samples of ash collected around the Libby area, and after asbestos was confirmed cleanup crews picked up debris from public areas including parks and health facilities.
The industrial district had no property insurance on the plant. Coverage was lost following a $3.2 million insurance settlement when the roof collapsed under a heavy snow load two years ago. Liability insurance was retained, however.
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Editor’s Note: See the March 16, 2010 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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