City: Firefighters Still Snuffing Out Embers In Exploded Sartell Paper Mill

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Crews are still working to snuff out the hot pockets left over after a paper mill sustained an explosion earlier this week.

Patti Gartland, a Sartell city administrator, said Thursday afternoon that the fire remains 99 percent contained; but as crews move collapsed parts of the mill's warehouse, oxygen gushes in and fires flare up in the still smoldering paper bales.

Gartland said such flare ups were anticipated and are being extinguished as expected.

The mill sustained a massive explosion, which killed one worker, Monday afternoon.

Close to 12 fire departments were on the scene Thursday. Another eight or so departments are expected to help put down the remaining embers Friday, Gartland said.

Authorities hope the firefighter will end Friday afternoon.