Fires are one of the most damaging and dangerous emergencies that businesses can face. While some industries are at higher risk for fires, any business has to be prepared for the danger that it can bring. Just recently, a Lebanon County sawmill experienced a massive 3-alarm fire that created significant damage for the entire facility. After cases like these, it’s important for businesses to take a look at their own insurance coverage and make sure that they have the protection they need from a significant event like a massive fire.
What Happened In The Lebanon County Sawmill Fire?
On September 8, 2025, a sawmill near Lebanon, PA caught fire and triggered a massive response from firefighters and rescue crews. No one was hurt in the fire, but the business’s property was completely destroyed. This facility has experienced many fires in the past, but none to this scale. Being a sawmill, the building had a large amount of combustible materials being stored, making the fire extremely difficult to contain.
How Does Business Insurance Cover A Fire Like This?
Commercial insurance is designed to help businesses in cases like this. There are a few types of policies that would cover damages that businesses suffer in a fire. These include:
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Commercial Property Insurance: to cover the cost of rebuilding the facility
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Business Interruption Coverage: to help the company recover the missed revenue that results from shutting operations down
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Inventory Loss Coverage: to cover the cost of goods destroyed in a fire
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Commercial Auto Insurance: If you have comprehensive coverage, your company vehicles would be covered if they were destroyed in a fire.
How Would Insurance Change After A Large Commercial Fire?
The insurance effects of a business fire like the one at the Lebanon County sawmill can go far beyond the initial claim. After a claim is made (if one is made) and the damage is paid for, the insurance company will have to reevaluate the company’s insurance risk, and decide how the coverage should be changed or dropped.
Typical insurance changes that happen after a fire include:
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Increased premiums due to the increased risk of insuring the coverage
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Limitations on coverage (e.g., no longer covering equipment replacement or dropping full roof coverage)
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Tighter inspections and requirements to ensure that measures are in place to prevent another fire
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Loss of coverage due to a long history of claims and risk
Note: These changes are strictly informational and do not reflect the sawmill’s specific situation.
Preventative Measures & Safeguards Reduce The Chance Of Insurance Complications
To reduce the chances of a massive fire and the resulting insurance implications, businesses should:
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Conduct routine maintenance to spot fire hazards before they can ignite. This is especially important for machinery and electrical systems.
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Make sure that dust collection and ventilation systems are regularly inspected and cleaned.
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Train employees and staff on how they can prevent fires in the workplace, and what to do if a fire does occur.
Businesses should also review their insurance policies to make sure that they have the appropriate coverage for their need. Some industries, like lumber manufacturing, have an increased risk of a fire starting, which makes having the proper coverage even more important.
Strickler Insurance Protects Lebanon, PA Businesses From Fires And More
When a large fire occurs close to home, like the sawmill fire this September, it serves as a reminder of how one spark or flame can level an entire business. Any business, especially one in an industry that has a high fire risk, should carefully consider its insurance protection.
At Strickler Insurance, we partner with businesses all over Lebanon County and the surrounding areas to make sure their success is protected from the damages that come with a business fire or other emergency. Whether you are looking for general business coverage, business interruption coverage, commercial property insurance, or more, our team is ready to sit down with you and find the perfect policy for your needs and budget.
Contact Strickler Insurance to make sure that your business is prepared for a fire or other costly emergency. Get your free quote today.
