PARIS, Michigan (WZZM) - "It was quite the blaze," according to Paul Kamps. Kamps is the owner of Kamps Hardwoods, a sawmill that burned overnight in Mecosta County.
The fire started about 11:45 pm Wednesday at the sawmill on 20 Mile Road near Paris, north of Big Rapids. Seven fire departments fought the fire in the rural area. They were able to save much of the timber, but not the building or equipment.
Paul Kamps bought the sawmill less than a year ago. He says most of the machinery and computer systems were less than four years old. Now, that's all ruined. But, Kamps says he will rebuild and keep his employees working.
The burned-out rubble was once a key building at Kamps Hardwoods near Paris, Michigan. Kamps says, "One building, as you can see right there, is totally on the pavement. The other building, they think we can salvage because it's all steel frame."
The Big Rapids Department of Public Safety got the fire call about 11:45 Wednesday night. Some saw the flames from two miles away.
Owner Paul Kamps says as soon as he arrived, he knew "it's gone. A fire that big and hot, no way you can keep it."
Kamps says fire fighters think the fire started in the maintenance area, and spread throughout the building. That, unfortunately means almost all of the equipment is ruined.
Kamps says, "Machinery, yeah, we lost easily three million. Building, another million and a half or so."
Since most of the logs did not burn, Kamps will move the timber and the 25 employees to another sawmill he owns. He explains they will, "Start cutting it on a second shift there. That way I can keep my employees here working because I don't want to lose the employees. And unemployment doesn't cut it, so we're going to transfer them down there, put them up in rooms and at least they can get their weekly paycheck and I can get the lumber out the door. Can't let the customers down."
So, while Kamps business will be hurt, he's trying to salvage something, and is already trying to get back to work. He says, "We're doing the best we can with what we're dealt with."
Insurance adjusters and the fire department are both investigating how and where the fire started.
Meanwhile, Kamps plans to start a second shift at his Buskirk Lumber location in Freeport so he can keep his employees working and keep producing lumber for furniture, flooring, and cabinets.
In your voice
