SIMI VALLEY : Mill Fire Blamed on Spark From Tracks
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Ventura County fire investigators Monday blamed a fire Sunday night at The Stake Mill on a lingering spark from saws used earlier on nearby railroad tracks. They estimated damage at $25,000.
The spark ignited a sawdust bin and spread flames to the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks at the west end of Simi Valley, near the lumber mill.
The mill’s building, valued at $20,000, suffered $5,000 in damage. The 8:38 p.m. blaze also destroyed $20,000 worth of its contents, valued at $200,000, authorities said.
Six fire engines and two trucks, staffed by 40 firefighters, responded to the fire, while Southern California Edison attended to downed power lines. An Amtrak train, scheduled to run through the area, was delayed for about an hour.
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