Massive Fire Destroys Rhode Island Mill

Firefighters from several communities took more than eight hours to extinguish a general alarm fire at a mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The fire started at about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the former Union Wadding Mill on Goff Avenue and firefighters were still hosing down hot spots on Thursday morning.

The mill was mostly unoccupied, but several apartments were evacuated as a precaution. There were no reports of injuries.

The 450,000-square-foot building is more than 150 years old.

Television images showed flames leaping through the roof and walls collapsing.

A general alarm fire means all available firefighters are requested to respond.

The cause remains under investigation, but officials say it appears the fire started on the first floor in a part of the building without power.