Massive fire at former cereal factory in Orange draws large response from Worcester County crews

ORANGE — Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a former cereal factory Saturday in this small Franklin County mill town.

Fire crews from Worcester County, including various District 8 outfits from nearby Athol, Royalston, Gardner, Phillipston, Petersham, Winchendon, Templeton and Rutland, provided assistance at the scene as well as station coverage.

In all, crews from 20 surrounding fire departments provided mutual aid, according to the Orange Fire Department, that in the end equated to a six- to seven-alarm response.

According to officials, the fire broke out before noontime Saturday and quickly spread throughout the long abandoned mill and factory on 16-36 West River St.

Heavy smoke, intense heat and flames, and large embers saw the fire spread to other nearby vacant buildings including a blacksmith shop.

Crews worked the fire for several hours and into the early evening putting out hot spots.

"We can report there were no firefighter injuries however there were two civilians that suffered minor burns, but are not hospitalized," Orange Fire Rescue EMS said on social media.

According to the town of Orange website, the old cereal factory had been deteriorating over the years.

The building's structural concerns forced the town to close West River Street from South Main to Pleasant streets in March.

The fire is being investigated by the Orange Fire and Police departments and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit of the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Anyone with information relating to the cause of the fire are asked to call (978) 544-2128.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Fire at former Orange cereal factory draws aid from Worcester County firefighters