B.C.

Dry sawdust played a role in an electrical fire that resulted in a half million dollars damage last February at the same northern B.C. sawmill that exploded and burned to the ground earlier this month, killing two workers.

An investigation into last February's blaze at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake, west of Prince George, found an electrical spark in a motor likely ignited some sawdust, starting a fire amongst more dust in nearby electrical cables.

Stephen Hinde with the BC Safety Authority says he doesn't believe the nature and causes of last year's fire caused the devastating explosion at the mill earlier this month.

A WorkSafe BC report written weeks before the explosion found dust levels in the facility's basement rated at more than twice the acceptable level for the workers' health.

An investigation into the cause of the recent blast is considering concerns about dust, gas and other factors.

Two workers were killed immediately in the disaster and 19 others were sent to hospital, including at least four in critical condition.