PRINCETON – Local and state fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a massive fire Wednesday night that destroyed a historic building in Downtown Princeton. At 6:50pm, a fire at the old Gurley Mill on Pine Street was reported. More than 100 firefighters from multiple departments in Johnston and Wayne counties battled the blaze before it was finally contained. The fire also damaged Duke Energy electrical equipment causing a widespread power outage through the Town of Princeton.
On Thursday, representatives from the NC Office of the State Fire Marshal, Johnston County Fire Marshal’s Office and Princeton Fire Department gathered at the fire scene to begin a joint investigation into the cause.
Johnston County Fire Marshal Adam Stanley said heavy equipment was brought in today to move some of the debris and to extinguish a few remaining hot spots. A portion of the 106 year-old building was being used as an office and storage. Another section containing some of the original milling equipment.
Several adjacent structures were damaged by the intense heat. No injuries were reported.
