Fire ignites at sawmill: Welding sparks smolder overnight

An early-morning accidental fire broke out at the the Saratoga Forest Management’s sawmill Sunday.

Saratoga Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Sikes said the unexpected blaze started at around 5 a.m. Sunday, scorching and blackening several long logs in the process. The fire, located in the northwest corner of the mill, was extinguished by 7 a.m., and no persons were injured or killed during the blaze.

“We had someone call us and say there was a fire going on, and we were able to put it out in two hours, which is not bad,” Sikes said.

Gary Ervin, owner and general manager for Saratoga Forest Management, said the fire was caused by sparks created from routine welding Saturday evening.

“It started from a routine maintenance with welding, and the workers doused it with water but I guess didn’t get it good enough,” he said. “I guess it smoldered for awhile, and then it finally ignited and started to burn 12 hours later. No one was right there by the fire when it happened, and this was the only fire here so far this year.”

Sikes said the extinguishing crew consisted of four firetrucks and 12 firefighters, using long hoses to extinguish the fire, and the burned logs were properly disposed of afterward.

“This fire was the biggest one we had seen all year,” Sikes said.