The cause of a fire that destroyed a section of the former Bellevue Manufacturing textile mill in Hillsborough on Friday was deemed suspicious, authorities said Thursday.
Officials said the investigation into a cause is continuing, and that the property has been released back to its owner.
The fire broke out at the mill around 5 p.m. on Friday and was “largely extinguished” by Saturday evening, authorities said.
“We know about where the fire started and what was there and what wasn’t,” said Hillsborough Fire Marshal Jerry Wagner.
Alex Coats, owner of nearby Hillsborough BBQ, said the loss of revenue on the day of the fire was substantial.
"Being closed on the second busiest night of the week is a bummer to say the least," Coats said. "Right before service kicks oof, having to evacuate the building wasn't the excitement we'd planned on."
Hillsborough residents said it's a blessing that most of the historic mill is still standing.
"It hurts a little bit, but I don't like to hear that," Amos Pedersen said. "Hopefully they'll resurrect what they were going to do there an still be able to do that."
Officials said the mill was slated to eventually become apartments.