On September 8, a massive fire tore through Weaber Inc.’s sawmill in Pennsylvania, just as the company laid off 145 workers after filing for bankruptcy.
The flames at the massive 180,000-square-foot mill were so intense that over 1.1 million gallons of water were needed to put them out. Firefighters from more than 30 departments across five counties fought the blaze for over eight hours through the night, with the bright orange sky and neighbors fearing for their homes as embers rained.
“The fire load in the building is massive. It doesn’t take much but a spark to get it going, and once it’s going, it runs indefinitely. This building might have the most combustible materials under one roof in the state,” said Chief Dylan Wilson of the Lawn Fire Company.
Decades of Family Tradition Up in Smoke
Weaber Inc. was started in 1941 by Walter H. Weaber. Over nearly 85 years, it grew from a small family mill into one of the largest hardwood lumber companies in the United States, making oak and poplar products for building and home improvement.
The business stayed in the family, with Matt Weaber, the founder’s grandson, as CEO.
At its peak, the company operated several facilities, employed around 500 people, and earned almost $55 million annually.
Trouble Brewing Before the Flames
Weaber had been in trouble for months before the fire. In July, it notified the government about significant layoffs as required by law and said it would cut 145 jobs between July 26 and September 9.
The company blamed slowdowns in home building, high interest rates, and economic uncertainty, which were problems affecting lumber companies all over America.
In addition, they decided to shut down another part of the company, ChoiceWood, cutting more jobs just before the fire struck.
Bankruptcy Deals a Heavy Blow
Financial problems kept getting worse. On August 1, Weaber filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying it had between $10 and $50 million in assets and similar amounts in debt.
They owed more than $4 million to their top creditors alone. Despite their struggles, Weaber hoped they could repay some of these debts and keep parts of the company alive, since bankruptcy can sometimes help businesses restart.
How the Fire Started and Spread
The disaster started around 10 p.m., when a maintenance worker at the company headquarters on Mount Wilson Road spotted flames and quickly called for help.
By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had already spread across the vast building, loaded with stacks of wood that burned ferociously.
“It got ahead of us,” Chief Wilson said, describing how fast the flames spread and forced crews to work from a safe zone outside.
Neighbors Caught in the Disaster
People living across from the mill watched helplessly as flames lit up the sky. Some stood outside for hours, worried their houses would catch fire from the flying sparks.
“This is the worst I’ve ever seen. Ever. In my life. I was terrified,” said neighbor Leigh Clemens, who’s lived across from the mill for 20 years and witnessed multiple previous fires at the facility.
Another neighbor, Jennifer Lawler, described the fear in the air: “Most everybody was just in shock and in sadness, and they were scared. They were just literally scared”.
Firefighters Tackle a Massive Challenge
Fire companies from around the region rushed to help, bringing in tanker trucks with water from other neighborhoods and using a local pond with a million gallons on hand.
“I’ve never seen this many tankers before. It’s crazy. I think they had close to, like, 30 tankers out here last night from all over the place,” said Bill Bishop of the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services as he helped support the fire crews.
The Lumber Industry’s Difficult Year
Weaber’s fire happened while the entire lumber business was suffering. In 2025, housing construction was way down due to high mortgage rates, and fewer homes meant less wood was bought.
Lumber prices had dropped 16% the month before the fire, the lowest level seen all year.
Across the U.S., many builders stopped ordering big loads of wood, so companies like Weaber struggled to stay afloat.
Lumber Inventory Fuels the Destruction
Weaber’s sawmill was stacked full of lumber, creating ideal fuel for a massive fire. Fire officials said the site had perhaps more combustible material than any other building in Pennsylvania.
“Most of the building was engulfed in flames when crews arrived,” said Chief Wilson. The intense heat and stacked wood made the fire very difficult to contain.
Investigators Search for Answers
State police began investigating the fire’s cause soon after it started, but found no evidence linking it to Weaber’s recent bankruptcy or layoffs.
Investigators focused on mechanical or electrical issues as possible causes, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
This fire is the latest of several major blazes at the Weaber mill, which has experienced fires in recent years.
Company Thanks Firefighters and the Community
A company spokesperson thanked the firefighters and was grateful that no one was hurt: “We are incredibly grateful to all the firefighters and departments who responded to last night’s fire… We are incredibly relieved no one was hurt and grateful for everyone’s tremendous work on our behalf.”
She acknowledged the crisis’s bad timing, saying, “This is difficult news on the heels of last month’s decision to restructure. We are tough, though, and we are working through the restructuring process to emerge stronger than before.”
Operations Come to a Standstill
After closing another prominent location, the fire shut down Weaber’s main headquarters, which had just become the company’s key plant.
This building was the heart of the company’s manufacturing, producing almost 1 million board feet of lumber weekly for builders and home stores.
With the plant closed and business already suffering, Weaber faced an even more challenging road ahead.
The Company’s Ownership Story
This wasn’t Weaber’s first financial crisis. Problems from weather and low sales had forced the company to sell out to an investment firm in 2011, which tried to modernize operations.
The company eventually came back under family ownership, but money troubles never entirely disappeared and likely contributed to this year’s bankruptcy.
Can Weaber Rebuild After So Much Loss?
Despite everything, Weaber said it still plans to keep operating in some form, but it’s unclear how much they can rebuild after the fire.
Bankruptcy documents show they hope to repay certain debts and may get help from insurance.
Still, with significant damage, recent layoffs, and weak demand, the company’s chances at recovery remain highly uncertain.
Recovery Plans on Shaky Ground
The fire also put Weaber’s plans to recover on shaky ground. The main office they intended to use for their comeback was now in ruins.
Any hopes of quickly restarting business would involve delays, insurance claims, construction, and waiting for the lumber market to improve, all during one of the toughest periods in the company’s long history.
Scrutiny Grows Over Safety and Dust Hazards
Because fatal sawmill fires have occurred before, federal authorities like OSHA monitor the lumber industry carefully.
OSHA requires mills to control wood dust, keep equipment clean, and maintain fire prevention standards.
After this fire, Weaber and similar companies can expect even stricter inspections and tougher safety rules to help stop such deadly and destructive events.
Ripple Effects for the Lumber Market
The fire showed just how vulnerable the lumber supply chain has become.
Fewer major suppliers serve contractors and stores now than in the past, so losing a big mill like Weaber’s can cause problems for builders in the region.
It may also push more companies to combine or shut down, as small margins and significant risks make the industry less stable.
Social Media Buzz and Fire Misinformation
Social media and local news were flooded with dramatic photos and videos of the fire, with some people hinting that the timing looked suspicious.
Investigators and reporters stepped in to clarify that there was no evidence of arson and that a maintenance worker found the fire and called it in immediately.
Official reports stressed that “no injuries were reported, and the chief said the cause of the fire is still unknown, but Pennsylvania State Police will investigate.”
History Repeats with Another Major Sawmill Fire
Fires like the one at Weaber’s sawmill happen often across North America’s lumber industry.
Wood dust, electrical issues, or faulty fire systems can all spark disaster in these operations.
Both the U.S. and Canada have seen many major mill fires, showing how tough it is to fully protect sawmills from devastating losses like this.
What’s Next for Weaber and its People?
Ultimately, the Weaber fire turned a bad situation into a possible crisis for Lebanon County and hundreds of families.
With the business already in bankruptcy, the fire could mean the end of a long family legacy, unless the company can find a way to recover.
For the workers, their families, and the local community, it is now uncertain if this once-proud local industry can ever fully return.