SANFORD -- A fire engulfed an old cotton mill in Sanford Friday, 12-20-2002, morning, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze for more than six hours and evacuate nearby homes.
The blaze began around 4 a.m. at the WSW Company building on Chisholm Street and Wilson Avenue.
The cotton mill is more than 100 years old and was filled with combustible materials, perfect fuel for a fire.
There was little that could be done but assume a defensive posture for the fire, as the flames were visible above the trees as firefighters left their station 2 blocks away. An order for call-back was given before the first units arrived. Upon arrival, the first-in unit found flames and smoke coming through 3/4 of the roof area of the @ 300 X 160 foot structure. Local fire investigators and police detectives were assisted in the investigation of the origin and cause by agents of the State Bureau of Investigation and ATF. No cause has been determined as of Saturday, 12-21-02.
