At least 19 people were taken to hospitals with minor to serious injuries after an explosion and fire tore through the Babine Forest Products mill, east of Burns Lake, B.C., a health-care official said Saturday. Burns Lake RCMP responded to reports of an explosion at the mill around 8:15 p.m. PT Friday. Initial reports gave a higher injury count of 28, but Northern Health spokesman Steve Raper has revised the number. It was a normal shift and the mill was fully staffed when the blast occurred, according to police. Workers reported smelling gas moments before the explosion. There are unconfirmed reports it may have been a natural gas explosion. Concerned family members crowded into Margaret Patrick Memorial Hall in Burns Lake to get updates. The Lakes District Hospital in Burns Lake quickly became overwhelmed, so several of the injured were taken to Prince George for treatment, while a few went to the hospital in nearby Vanderhoof.
Source: http://hisz.rsoe.hu
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