Mill Fire

On November 21, 1969, disaster struck when an electrical short caused a huge fire that destroyed the mill.  Employees and townspeople helped the firefighters battle the fire throughout the night but all they could do was reduce the flame.  They saved the planer mill, the dry kiln and offices but had to let the sawmill go. “In the space of about two hours, 18 years of expansion had been destroyed by fire.  I’m sure it would have meant the end for many people faced with the same situation, but Johnny and Ross had the strength and determination to carry on.  I have been thanking them every day since.” Bobby Johnson (1976)