Fire damages paper machine at McKinley Paper Mill in Combined Locks

COMBINED LOCKS, Wis. (WBAY) — A fire broke out at McKinley Paper Mill Monday night, damaging a paper machine and the roof.

The Combined Locks Fire Department and Town of Buchanan Fire and Rescue were called to the mill at 540 Prospect Street around 9:01 p.m. Monday for a dryer fire on Paper Machine 6.

When firefighters arrived, the mill’s fire brigade was already fighting the fire. Crews were told the fire had spread to the roof and upper sections around the machine.

Firefighters set up a water supply to the building’s standpipe system. The mill’s automatic sprinkler system also activated and helped suppress the fire.

Additional fire departments were called after crews confirmed the fire had spread to the roof. The Kaukauna Fire Department brought an aerial apparatus to fight the fire from above. Crews worked from both the roof and mezzanine levels to contain the fire and put out hot spots.

Fire departments from Combined Locks, Buchanan, Little Chute, Kimberly and Kaukauna responded to the scene.

Emergency personnel stayed on scene for about three hours. A damage estimate is not yet available.

No injuries were reported among mill employees or emergency responders. Kaukauna Ambulance and EMS personnel from Combined Locks and Buchanan provided medical support for firefighters during the incident.