GREENVILLE, S.C. --
Firefighters said they believe the fire at the Old Anderson Mill is suspicious, and it is still sending big clouds of smoke to the sky, two days after it started.
WYFF News 4's Tracy Atwood said that investigators have to wait until the temperature drops inside the mill to start the investigation.
On Saturday, firefighters were monitoring the site, walking the perimeter and spraying the outside edges to keep the heat from burning trees, vines and grass on the property.
The fire started Friday at about 10:30 a.m.
A firefighter said he saw smoke coming from the site and stopped and used his phone to call 911.
A couple of firefighters spent the day monitoring hot spots. Because the mill was not being used, officials said they think it is suspicious.
They said it has been a costly effort, but these are the type of fires the city has to provide a budget for.
"If I had to ballpark a figure, I would say between $5,000 and $7,000 that was spent yesterday on the fire suppression effort, and we were successful. There was one house about 100 feet from the mill. It was saved, and our objectives of containing it to the building were achieved, so it was worth the expenditure," said Anderson Fire Chief Jack Abraham.
"It bothers me that we have people that do things, but there's not really a lot you can do unless you catch them doing it," said Anderson firefighter Robert Gilreath.
The Anderson Mill site sits on 19 acres in the city on Whitner, Glenn and C streets.
Anyone who saw something suspicious should call 911 dispatch.
