Fire damages paper mill

An early morning fire has caused damage to FutureMark Papers in Manistique. Manistique Public Safety and Volunteer Fire Officers were called to the mill Monday at 3:59 a.m. for a fire that was reported in the paper machine on the second floor.

When officers arrived, they determined that the fire was confined to the inside of a vent above the machine. The fire had initially been fought and contained by paper mill employees before it was extinguished from the building’s roof by fire officers.

Damage to the paper machine was minimal, however both the roof vent and a fan on the roof were substantial damaged. Officers remained on scene until 6:30 a.m. to vent heat from the building and extinguishing any hot spots. The Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department and paper mill employees assisted at the scene.