Explosion Reduced To Ruptured Pipe

Sonora, CA — According to Community Relations Manager Mark Luster it was a pipe that ruptured and not an explosion as first reported at the Sierra Pacific Industries mill on Camage Rd. this morning.

The rupture took place shortly after three o´clock. It occured in the dry kiln area. S.P.I. reports structural damage to the pipe and some structural damage to the building.

Luster adds there were no sawmill personnel in the area at the time of the incident. Cause of the rupture is currently under investigation. CAL FIRE investigators remain on the scene this afternoon.

Luster is hopeful that full operation of the dry kiln area will resume by Monday. S.P.I. employs 300 people at its Sonora mill out of a total workforce of 4,000.

Written by Bill Johnson