March 30 -- Fire investigators are searching for answers on what sparked blazes that destroyed two vacant mills in Killingly and Windham early Saturday morning.
The fires in East Killingly and South Windham drew more than 140 firefighters from dozens of regional fire departments, along with state and federal environmental agents who spent hours at each scene dousing hot spots, snuffing flare-ups and checking for hazardous materials.
The fire at the former ACME textile and cotton mill on Bailey Hill Road in Killingly was reported at 3:56 a.m., said Joe Danao, spokesman for the state's Region IV Incident Management Team.
"On arrival, firefighters reported fire at the corner of the structure which quickly ramped up and extended to the rest of the building," he said. Danao said eight fire departments and approximately 60 firefighters were called to the scene, as were representatives of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state police.
"The town of Killingly issued a reverse 911 call at 7 a.m. to residents west of the scene requesting them to remain indoors as a precautionary measure," Danao said Saturday morning as crews continued pouring water from into the smoldering debris. "We expect crews on scene throughout the day."
Danao said DEEP and EPA were monitoring the air and water quality, along with any potential issues within the footprint of the fire. No injuries were reported.
Killingly Town Manager Mary Calorio said the mill property was recently purchased by new developers but said she was not sure if any work was being done at the site. The sprawling mill, built in 1890, was bought by Hartford-based Shennecock Realty through a foreclosure process in August, according to town assessor records.
"This is a brick structure with wood floors and beams with an attached building with dam controls for the nearby Acme Pond," she said. "The roof has collapsed in the main building and large equipment is being brought in."
Calorio said the state fire marshal is investigating the fire, and water and air testing will continue. Charlotte Burwell, who lives off Route 101, across the street from the Killingly factory, said she was woken up at 4 a.m. by the sounds of explosions. "I came outside and could see flames through the trees," she said. "The whole length of the building was on fire and it went up in a matter of minutes. There were a lot of explosions, one right after another -- sporadic."
Burwell said the mill is fronted by a pond as well as houses on either side. "Thank goodness that pond was there or they never would have gotten it put out," she said. As crews continued to monitor the Killingly scene late Saturday morning, firefighters were sending streams of water into the shell of the former Scag Giant-Vac factory building at the corner of Machine Shop Hill and Camp Horizon roads in South Windham.
South Windham Fire Chief Jan Mott said the fire was reported at 1:53 a.m. "It was fully involved when we arrived and we fought it defensively," he said. "Luckily, this is a well-hydrated area, so water wasn't an issue."
Mott said the fire, which caused no injuries, was largely under control by 9 a.m., but crews were expected to keep a close eye on the mill ruins throughout the day. The Scag Giant-Vac factory, built in 1828, was most recently home to a lawn equipment company, but the property has been unused for at least a decade.
Only a brick shell of the caved-in structure was still standing Saturday. Like in Killingly, the state fire marshal's office is handling the Windham investigation.
Dennis North, who lives near the charred and fire-cracked building, said he learned of the fire around 1 a.m. "I looked out and the whole length of the building from the windows up was burning," he said. "And the explosions rocked the house."
The Saturday fires are just the latest two blazes to flare up in Windham County this week. On Thursday, one person was found dead inside a Danielson home that was severely damaged by fire. An apartment fire that same day at 30 Watson St. in Willimantic displaced 11 residents. ___ (c)2019 Norwich Bulletin, Conn. Visit Norwich Bulletin, Conn. at www.norwichbulletin.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
