More families call for public inquiry into two, fatal mill explosions in B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Demands for a public inquiry into two fatal mill explosions will be taken to the streets of Prince George, B.C., on the second anniversary of one of the blasts.

Family members and co-workers of those killed and injured at the Lakeland Mills sawmill on April 23, 2012, and the Babine Forest Products in January 2012 are holding a “Walk for Justice” on Wednesday.

The walk follows decisions by B.C.’s Criminal Justice Branch not to lay charges over the separate explosions that killed four men and injured dozens of others.

It also follows repeated but unsuccessful calls by New Democratic Leader Adrian Dix for a sweeping, independent inquiry into sawmill safety and the two subsequent investigations.

Ronda Roche, who lost her husband Glenn in the explosion at the Lakeland Mills, says somebody needs to be held accountable for the deaths and injuries, and an independent inquiry is needed to learn where the system failed.

Maureen Luggi, whose husband Robert Luggi Jr. died during the Babine explosion, says the families need answers and she doesn’t believe a coroner’s inquest will address all the questions she has.