PANGUITCH — Firefighters spent the night battling a large blaze that destroyed the main sawmill building on the west side of Panguitch.
Garfield County Sheriff Eric Houston told Cedar City News the initial call reporting the fire came in at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday.
“Crews were on scene pretty quick,” Houston said, adding that fire departments from nearby towns were also called to the scene.
“We had Bryce Canyon, Tropic, Henrieville, Panguitch Lake and Panguitch all on it,” he said. “They really did a fantastic job keeping it contained to the one building, which is the main sawmill of the place. They kept it contained in that area.”
Houston said although the fire appears to have started on the far side away from the wood stacks in the yard, “the wind was blowing it right at the lumber and stuff.”
“Thanks to all the fire departments, because they did an excellent job,” Houston said.
No injuries have been reported, the sheriff added.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
“We’ve got the fire investigator there now,” Houston said at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
As of late Wednesday morning, firefighters were still reportedly at the scene putting water on still-smoldering hot spots.
The K & D Forest Products office building was not affected, as it is located some distance away from the main sawmill building. The business is located at 175 N. 800 West.
Houston said the fire represents a “huge hit” to the community, as the sawmill’s workforce comprises about 25 employees.
This is a developing story.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.