Fire Destroys Whitt Sawmill Box Factory

Sonora, CA -- A Monday evening fire completely destroyed the box factory of the Whitt Sawmill on Hospital Rd.

The blaze, according to Sonora Fire Chief Mike Barrows, was reported between 8:30 and 9pm. Barrows reports the 2,000-3,000 square foot structure had not been used for years.

Barrows added that the building had housed planing equipment, soaking containers and dip tanks. Cardboard boxes were manufactured in the structure along with furniture.

Cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Barrows did say that utility lines were still in place. He added there is a chance that homeless individuals may have inadvertently started the fire.

A bulldozer spent the morning hours knocking down the remainder of the structure.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com

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