MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Investigators continue working to determine what caused the Whiting Paper Mill in Menasha to go up in flames. They say, they’re currently following leads and talking to witnesses, to possibly help them reach a conclusion.
Authorities say the enormous fire smoldered for nearly 12 hours. A fire of that magnitude, officials say, will take some time to solve.
“It’s a long process. These things are never short,” Menasha Police Department public information officer Nick Oleszak tells FOX 11.
“We do work in collaboration with the fire department, as far as origin and cause, and then the police department will gather forensic evidence, witness statements, video evidence from surrounding businesses and people, other tips that come in from the community, and we put it all together.”
Lightning lit up the night sky in Menasha right before the May 2 fire ignited. And, while the investigation into what caused the blaze continues, authorities believe that it was not an “act of nature.”
But, Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue says, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s suspicious.
“We’re just continuing to work on that determination right now,” said Shane Krueger, Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue assistant fire chief and fire marshal.
Days after the raging fire at the abandoned Whiting Paper Mill, crews were still working to put out hot spots.
The fire destroyed the historic building, making it impossible for firefighters to enter the structure safely and preventing them from even beginning to attempt to figure out what happened.
What’s more, the walls were extremely unstable. So much so, authorities decided it best to knock some of them down, and the property is currently surrounded by fencing.
“Stay away!” Oleszak warned. “It remains a very, very dangerous structure. Nobody has any business being inside the fence line.”
Over the course of five years, police say they’ve received over 50 calls to the mill, including reports of fires and trespassing.
FOX 11 reached out to the current owner of the mill. While he says he’s unable to comment on complaints relating to the mill, he says fire department records will show there were two fire calls, within less than two weeks of the latest one that is now being investigated.
The fire happened the night before the Menasha City Council declared the mill as blighted property.
If you have any information, you can contact the Menasha Police Department. To remain anonymous, you can call the Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 or go online.
