Fire at abandoned Strathmore Mill in Russell. (MARC ST.ONGE / THE WESTFIELD NEWS)

RUSSELL — The four-alarm fire that destroyed one old mill and damaged another Tuesday in the Woronoco section of town was accidentally started by the owner improperly using an oxy-acetylene torch, officials said.

A statement issued by state Fire Marshal Peter Ostrosky and Russell Fire Chief Edward J. Renauld, Jr., Russell-Montgomery Police Chief Kevin Hennessey, said an investigation determined the fire started in the exterior of the building, known as Mill #3.

The building owner, Donald Voudren, had been using a welding torch when he accidentally ignited some combustible materials.

The Russell Fire Department issued a notice of violation to Voudren, for failing to comply with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.

“The State Fire Code requires a permit for cutting, welding, and other hot work,” Ostroskey said. “A fire that started with unpermitted hot work claimed two firefighters’ lives in 2014, and we’re extremely fortunate that no one was injured or worse during this incident.”

Renauld said residents and businesses that are doing cutting, welding or other hot work are required to register in advance with the fire department.

“Taking that simple step would have ensured adequate safety measures such as a fire watch at the scene and could have saved the property owner from a total loss,” he said.

The fire quickly engulfed Mill #3 and spread to an adjacent building, mill #1, across the street. Mill #3 was destroyed. Parts of it collapsed on itself, and heavy equipment was brought in to pull down sections that appeared ready to collapse.

Strathmore Mill Fire in Russell

The fire was reported at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. It quickly spread engulfing Mill #3, and would grow to a 4-alarm fire. Firefighters from Russell and surrounding towns battled the blaze into Wednesday morning.

Officials said the initial efforts to combat the fire were hindered by a lack of water in the area. Numerous mutual aid companies as well as a task force to shuttle water to the scene, officials said.

“I want to thank the men and women of the Russell Fire Department, our mutual aid partners, and local and regional law enforcement for their assistance late into the night,” Renauld said.

The two buildings, located on the main street through Woronoco, have been closed since International Paper closed the Strathmore Paper company in the late 1990s.

Another part of the former Strathmore complex, Mill #2, is located across the river.

Mill #2, which has different owners, was itself destroyed by a massive fire a little more than two years ago.

Voudren told The Republican earlier this year that he planned to convert Mill #1, which sits along the Westfield River, into 60 to 80 condominiums in a project worth up to $26 million.

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