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October 8, 2008

Fire destroys Canaan mill

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Yesterday, for the second time in 10 years, Bob Johnson watched his sawmill burn to the ground.

Johnson, owner of R. Johnson and Sons Inc., said his mill in Canaan caught fire Tuesday morning after a spark from a generator caught fire on grease or diesel fuel, according to the Bangor Daily News. The fire, fueled by sawdust-lined beams, engulfed the building within minutes. Johnson, who started the mill business in 1972, said he did not have insurance and estimated the entire loss of the building, equipment and lumber to total $300,000, the Morning Sentinel reported. He said the cost to insure mills is so high it's prohibitive for a small mill. The mill employed eight people.

Johnson's mill burned to the ground in 2001. He rebuilt after that fire, but told the Morning Sentinel he's not sure if he will this time.

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