COLCHESTER, CT (WFSB) -
Fire officials are investigating the cause of an overnight fire at an abandoned paper mill in Colchester.
Crews were called to the mill off of route 149, just before midnight Saturday night.
According to officials, the building has been abandoned for nearly 20 years and police said there was no evidence of anyone living in the mill, raising questions about what may have caused the fire.
"I guess a lot of fireworks were going off in the area," said Colchester Assistant Fire Chief Royce Anowles, "Stuff was found up the road, so I'm not sure it was set off by a firework or what exactly happened."
After nearly two decades of vacancy, the mill had become run down through the years, according to residents, who said the fire may actually be an opportunity for the town.
"It would be nice to come down here and not see that eyesore," said Colchester resident Lawson Sargent. "We usually come down and see the waterfall, and you can actually see salmon jumping in the water."
Officials said that the mill contained no chemicals when it went up in flames, and no one was injured in the fire.
The owner of the mill has not commented on his plans for the future of the mill.
Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
