Fire Damages Kiln at Newly Reopened (Nine Dragons) Old Town Pulp Mill

Two firefighters were injured Saturday morning as they helped to extinguish a fire at the newly reopened Nine Dragons Paper mill in Old Town.

The fire originated in a lime kiln, which is used in making unbleached softwood pulp that is produced at the mill. Though the fire was contained to the kiln, it took a few hours and help from several neighboring fire departments to put it out.

“Mill fires are always a little complicated,” said Old Town Deputy Fire Chief Chris Baker.

The fire started shortly before 9 a.m., Baker said. Two firefighters from neighboring towns received minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment and released.

On July 15, firefighters responded to a roof vent fire at the mill that caused little damage and no injuries, officials said.

ND Paper, an international company based in Hong Kong, purchased the mill last year after it closed in 2015 and put nearly 200 people out of work. The company has since invested $46 million in upgrades and hired 130 people from more than 1,000 applicants.