A fire broke out Thursday afternoon in the old Atlantic Cotton Mill behind the Kroger on Pio Nono Avenue, emitting a dark plume of smoke that could be seen from as far away as Mercer’s campus. The more than 100-year-old building, which had been planned to be converted into lofts, was almost totally destroyed.
Police spokeswoman Jami Gaudet said officials suspect the blaze was caused by a homeless person holding a campfire outside the building.
Cluster digital staffer Carl V. Lewis contributed to this report.
For more on this developing story, read the next issue of The Cluster, or check back in at www.mercercluster.com for updates.
