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Major Fire Devastates Business

Winfield called to assist

On the evening of October 11, 2025, a massive fire engulfed Pine Knot Lumber, a longtime McCreary County lumber yard located along Southern Highway in Pine Knot, Kentucky. The size of the fire, which began shortly after nightfall, and the fear of what lay in its path led to the Winfield Fire Department being called to the scene; one of eleven agencies that responded, shutting down the roadway for hours with officials warning of lingering hot spots in the debris field well into Saturday. Pine Knot Fire Department, who continued to monitor the incident throughout the night, finally cleared the scene at 3AM, while offering a warning that embers remained beneath metal and fallen debris and asking bystanders to remain cognizant and phone 911 with any suspicions.
“Pretty much everything is gone,” a source told SCN, of the long-time family-operated business that employed approximately 100 people. “They have pieces at the other mill to start, but that’s about it.”
Pine Knot Lumber has long operated in the community, even employing many of the family that originally founded the business, supplying lumber and related wood products to residential and commercial construction businesses across the region.
“It’s going to affect everyone there. There are truck drivers and loaders and maintenance men and all the mill employees,” the source said.
Though a separate source close to the business told SCN that the cause is suspected to be electrical, as of press time, no official ruling has been released. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.
“Our condolences to the business owners and employees for their loss,” Pine Knot Fire Department said in a statement.