An account has been established at Kootenay Savings Credit Union in Kaslo for the 18 employees laid off from Meadow Creek Forest Products as a result of last month’s fire that destroyed the main mill building.
Outgoing regional district director Andy Shadrack says the millworkers support fund is to help those workers who aren’t eligible for employment insurance.
“Some of the families are in tough,” he said. “There’s a need to support them.”
The account number is 1511872.
Shadrack says his understanding is that the insurer won’t report back to the company until January.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Fire Commissioner has completed its initial investigation into the fire without determining the cause.
Due to the extensive damage, heavy equipment was required to access the scene for possible additional information. The fire commissioner’s office and other investigators are still working together to figure out what started the blaze, which broke out about 2:30 a.m. on November 13.
The office declined to provide a damage estimate.
While the mill building at Cooper Creek was destroyed, several others are still standing. The area has no fire protection.