MENASHA, Wis. — Fire crews worked all through the night battling a significant fire at a historic paper mill in Menasha, Wisconsin.
According to officials at the Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue, fire crews were called to the the Whiting Mill around 7:30 Sunday night. The blaze was significant, lighting up the night sky south of Green Bay. Whiting Mill is located on a strip of land between the canal and Fox River near the base of the Fox Cities Trestle Trail.
As of Monday morning officials aren't sure what started the fire or the extent of the damage. While the situation was brought under control earlier Monday, multiple engines and crews are still on scene to monitor hot spots.
The Whiting Paper Mill has quite an extensive history, according to NBC 26 TV in Green Bay. The George A. Whiting Paper Company mill in Menasha was built in 1882 by George A Whiting I and the Gilbert Brothers- Theodore and William, according to UW Madison Libraries.
On August 24, 1888, a serious fire ravaged the mill. When the firemen doused a stream of cold water on a hot steel bleaching drum, an explosion occurred, killing 16 spectators and firemen. The mill was later rebuilt by Mr. Whiting.
James Taylor, District 2 Alderman for the City of Menasha, worked at the mill in the late 70s. The Whiting Paper Co. made specialty paper products, like greeting cards and construction paper. After 139 years, the Whiting Paper Mill closed for good in 2016. Taylor told NBC 26 he was sad to watch the mill go up in flames.
“It's unfortunate that it happened," he said. "But from the ashes rise new buildings."
