Investigators continue working to determine what caused the Whiting Paper Mill in Menasha to go up in flames. They say, they’re currently following leads and talking to witnesses, to possibly help them reach a conclusion.
Authorities say the enormous fire smoldered for nearly 12 hours. A fire of that magnitude, officials say, will take some time to solve.
“It’s a long process. These things are never short,” Menasha Police Department public information officer Nick Oleszak tells FOX 11.
“We do work in collaboration with the fire department, as far as origin and cause, and then the police department will gather forensic evidence, witness statements, video evidence from surrounding businesses and people, other tips that come in from the community, and we put it all together.”
Lightning lit up the night sky in Menasha right before the May 2 fire ignited. And, while the investigation into what caused the blaze continues, authorities believe that it was not an “act of nature.”