A helicopter was used to dump water on a suspicious blaze the destroyed the former Mt. Vernon Textile Mill in Tallassee.
The fire was reported late Wednesday and crews remained on the scene through Thursday dousing hot spots. A state helicopter was called in to help.
"(The fire) is suspicious in nature because the structure we are dealing with had been vacant for about 10 years and had no power," Tallassee Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers told AL.com. The State Fire Marshal's Office was called in to help with the investigation.
Over 100 firefighters from 11 departments responded to bring the blaze under control.
At the height of the fire, several nearby homes were evacuated.
The mill started processing cotton 1841 and provided materials for Confederate Army uniforms during the civil war.
