The Associated Press
UXBRIDGE, Mass. — A huge fire engulfed a downtown mill complex Saturday, damaging or destroying 65 small businesses inside, authorities said.
The cause of the eight-alarm fire at the 400,000-square-foot Bernat Mill complex was unknown, said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. Firefighters from 45 communities in central and southeastern Massachusetts — backed by colleagues from Rhode Island — were on the scene trying to extinguish the blaze, Coan said.
Seven firefighters were injured, mostly from smoke inhalation and exhaustion, Coan said.
The mill was built in the 1820s. During World War II, it made fabric for Army uniforms. Most recently, it contained businesses including wood shops and art galleries.