Fire Departments Bill Verso Paper for Mill Fire

SARTELL  (AP) - Verso Paper has been billed $350,000 by fire departments who responded to an explosion and fire at its mill in Sartell.

Nearly 60 of 93 fire departments that responded to the Memorial Day fire have billed the company for time and equipment. The explosion and fire killed one worker, Jon Maus, and injured four others. The mill has not been in operation since the fire and more than 250 employees are without work.

Cities that are part of the Central Minnesota mutual aid agreement did not charge for the first 8 hours of work. Firefighters were on the scene at the mill for more than a week. The cause of the explosion and fire has not yet been officially determined.

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