An early bird neighbour making a morning cup of joe noticed smoke at Suncoast Lumber and Milling on Field Road June 23.
The Sechelt volunteer fire department received the call at 5:45 a.m. and Fire Chief Bill Higgs said the first truck was on the scene in 12 minutes.
"We got a good knockdown with the first truck," Higgs said.
In total, 27 firefighters responded with five apparatus to put the fire out with the mill sustaining approximately $120,000 in damage. Higgs said, in relation to the size of the operation, the damage was minimal.
"A lot of property was saved this morning," he said.
Terris Kwasney, mill owner, said the fire was contained to a filing room by metal doors.
Higgs said recent inspections of the company by the fire department and a willingness by Kwasney to increase fire security on the property resulted in a good news story.
"They're diligent on fire prevention," Higgs said. "They employ quite a few people, so it's good."
Higgs said an investigation determined the fire was "electrical in origin" but could not be specifically identified. Work was expected to be able to resume the next day.
