Small fire foamed out at KPly mill
By Paige Dickerson, Peninsula Daily News
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The 67-year-old plywood mill on Marine Drive has been closed since Nov. 2.
The mill's owner, Klukwan Inc. of Alaska, made the layoffs of the 132 employees permanent on April 28.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
"It does not appear to be suspicious in any way, though," said Port Angeles Fire Chief Dan McKeen.
The fire was reported to firefighters at about 9 a.m.
Little smoke could be seen outside the vacant building on the west side of the mill.
Inside, firefighters faced dense smoke McKeen said.
The indoor fire sprinkler system kept the fire under control — but could not completely extinguish the flames — as the team looked for the source of the smoke.
The fire eventually was found in a vat in an inaccessible part of the crawl space, McKeen said.
"It isn't just wood burning," McKeen said at the time.
"There is some petroleum, so water itself won't put it out," he said, adding he didn't know how much petroleum burned.
New technology
The firefighters used new technology — a fire hose that infuses expanding foam with water to make it stretch farther — to smother the flames.
The foam is a special formula that can put out oil fires.
A few of the remaining Kply employees were on hand during the fire, said Ken Dubus, Port Angeles fire marshall.
"They were absolutely invaluable in helping us figure out how to get to the fire," Dubuc said.
Firefighters broke through several inches of wood and a layer of metal on the floor near the plywood presses to get to the vat beneath the floor.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 and No. 3 both helped, in addition to the Port Angeles Fire Department, Dubuc said.
A fire watch also was set up all night on Friday.
An investigation continues.
The status of the insurance on the building was also unknown.
"The status of their lease is kind of up in the air right now," Port of Port Angeles executive director Bob McChesney said.
"So we are unsure whether they have insurance on it.
"Until I know more about the cause of the fire and insurance status, I do not want to comment on what potential action by the port would be."
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: July 19. 2008 9:00PM