By City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Wisconsin Rapids fire officials are still investigating the cause of a fire at the Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids.

Local departments were called to the mill on May 25, shortly after 8 p.m.

“Dispatch information was a smokestack with flames, and possible flames on the roof. A fiberglass stack that was part of the idle hardwood digester caught fire. Fire and heat compromised the stack causing a collapse, which then started subsequent fires in and around the digester tower,” Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department release stated.

“Fire service personnel in coordination with mill employees mitigated the fire. The fire was declared under control at approximately 9:45 p.m. Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 1 a.m.

“Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the scene; assisting were Port Edwards Fire, Grand Rapids Fire, Biron Fire, Nekoosa Fire, Vesper Fire, Rudolph Fire, and the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department and Saratoga First Responders.

“One firefighter was treated and released on scene for symptoms of heat exhaustion. No Verso employees were injured.

“Damage assessment continues and it appears the fire damage was limited to the stack area in the number 1 digester building.”

The cause is undetermined at this time.