MOUNTAIN FIR LUMBER COMPANY
Independence
January 8, 1953: "Fire of undetermined origin early Thursday destroyed the sawmill owned by the Mountain Fir Lumber Co. in southwest Independence.
Firemen directed by Fire Chief Ralph Scranton prevented the blaze from burning the planing mill, the drying kiln, the office and shops.
The fire was discovered by Don Kirkham, night watchman, about 5 a. m., when it flared into the roof of the sawmill. Kirkham reported that he was unable to place a call through to the fire department over the office telephone and was forced to phone from a nearby house.
James Crahane, manager of the plant, said that no estimate of the damage can be made until a complete survey has been completed.
Most of the machinery in the sawmill had been removed by the former owners and taken to Grants Pass several months ago. The new owners had just started to install new equipment, Crahane said, and were in the process of placing a new edger.
The mill formerly was owned by the Independence Manufacturing Co. It was purchased recently by several associates of the Forest Products Co., of Brownsville, Ore., and the Fir Valley Lumber Co., of Monroe, Ore." (Capital Journal)
Firemen directed by Fire Chief Ralph Scranton prevented the blaze from burning the planing mill, the drying kiln, the office and shops.
The fire was discovered by Don Kirkham, night watchman, about 5 a. m., when it flared into the roof of the sawmill. Kirkham reported that he was unable to place a call through to the fire department over the office telephone and was forced to phone from a nearby house.
James Crahane, manager of the plant, said that no estimate of the damage can be made until a complete survey has been completed.
Most of the machinery in the sawmill had been removed by the former owners and taken to Grants Pass several months ago. The new owners had just started to install new equipment, Crahane said, and were in the process of placing a new edger.
The mill formerly was owned by the Independence Manufacturing Co. It was purchased recently by several associates of the Forest Products Co., of Brownsville, Ore., and the Fir Valley Lumber Co., of Monroe, Ore." (Capital Journal)