140-Year-Old Emlenton Mill, Other Structures Destroyed in Massive Fire

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published February 6, 2015 2:50 pm
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EMLENTON, Pa. (EYT) – Multiple fire companies remain on the scene of a structure fire on Main Street in Emlenton Borough, Venango County.

Photo by Ron Wilshire.

According to sources, the fire broke out at The Emlenton Mill on Main Street around 10:15 p.m. Thursday

Firefighters from several companies responded to the scene, including Callensburg, East Brady, Emlenton, Knox, Farmington, Parker, Perry Twp., Rimersburg, Shippenville, Sligo, St. Petersburg, and Washington Twp.

Additional crews from Armstrong, Butler, Mercer, and Venango Counties were also dispatched.

Venango County 911 estimates that 30 agencies were dispatched to the scene, but could not give an exact number.

PennDOT, Penelec, Columbia Gas, Red Cross, and Salvation Army were also called to the scene.

Video by Alison Lee.

An eyewitness described the fire as being very intense.

“The fire (was) extremely intense on the back of the building,” said Dianne Smith.

Smith’s apartment is approximately 1/2 block away from the fire.

“The heat was too intense to stay at my windows. Hot ashes were raining down onto my apartment and other nearby homes.”

Smith also said that several homes in the area lost power following the fire.

Firefighters had the fire contained around 3 a.m., according sources.

As of 6:30 a.m., multiple companies remained on the scene in clean-up mode, according to Venango County 911.

No injuries have been reported.

There is no word on the cause of the fire.

Built in 1875, the Emlenton Mill was one of the first steam powered grist mills in the United States. It currently houses an ice cream shop, a bunkhouse hostel, and a museum.

“A small town like this, anything that you lose, it’s going to be hard,” Emlenton Chief Dave Whitehall told KDKA-TV.

Sources say Amy’s Closet and a machine shop were also destroyed in the blaze.

Additionally, four homes had to be evacuated, some of which sustained damage. Red Cross assisted the evacuees.

The roadway at the intersection of Routes 478 and Route 38 is closed as crews de-ice the road near the fire scene.

Stay with exploreClarion.com for continuous coverage of this Breaking News Story.

Photo by Alison Lee.

Photo by Alison Lee.

Photo by Sarah Mohler Seaton.

Photo by Sarah Mohler Seaton.

Photo by Mike Vereb.

Photo by Mike Vereb.

Photo courtesy Emlenton Mill.

Photo courtesy Emlenton Mill.

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