Smoky mill fire began in the basement

Pawtucket firefighters extinguish a blaze in the basement of a mill Nov. 7, 2019 at Conant and Weeden Streets. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

A three-alarm fire in a sprawling mill is believed to have begun in the basement of block-long complex, and caused no injuries, fire officials said.

The fire at Conant and Weeden Streets in Pawtucket broke out at about 3:30 P.M. in the mill that once housed a paper tube company, and was being converted into apartments.

“As you can see, it’s a very large building, it’s all open, it’s currently under construction as an apartment building and the guys did a great job just stopping it in the basement,” Pawtucket Fire Chief William Sisson said.

Chief Sisson said the fire was under control within about 1 1/2 hours, and expected crews would remain on the scene through the night to ensure no flare-ups.

Heavy smoke from the blaze, which remained under investigation, caused nearby mills in the complex along the Amtrak main line to be evacuated.

Chief Sisson could not immediately estimate damages from the blaze.

 

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