Fire at mill in downtown Kent

Two firefighters take a breather after battling the flames from a fire at the Star of the West Milling Co. Wednesday Morning. Katie Barnes | Summer Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

Firefighters from the Kent Fire Department stand on the roof next to the third and fourth floors of the Star of the West Milling Co. The two top floors were in flames Wednesday morning. Katie Barnes | Summer Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

Fire and safety crews responded to a fire at The Star of the West Milling Co. on North Water Street this morning at about 9:30 a.m.

It took firefighters from Kent, Ravenna, Stow, Brimfield and other area departments about 30 minutes to contain the smoke, said Bill Lillich, safety director for the city of Kent.

The smoke was coming from the third and fourth floors of the building. Surrounding buildings were temporarily evacuated for about 25 minutes as a safety precaution, Lillich said.

“(The firefighters) attacked it from inside and out, they did a good job of knocking it down,” Lillich said. “It was a ‘good save,’ as they would say.”

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

-Cody Francis

Check out KentNewsNet.com throughout the day for updates.