Manufacturing Mill Fire (Methuen, MA - December 1995) » Building Descriptions

The fire originated in the Monomac building, which was approximately 500 ft. long, 100 ft. wide and 5 stories (approximately 100 ft.) high. The Acadia Mills building, which was about 360x100 ft. in area and three stories (60 ft.) in height was located about 50 ft. north of the Monomac Building. These two large buildings ran north and south, parallel to the Spickett River, and were connected by an enclosed overhead passageway at the third floor level.

East of the Monomac Building was the Process Building, which was about 500x100 ft. in area and four stories (80 ft.) in height. An enclosed passage spanned from the middle of the Monomac building to the south end of the Process Building connecting the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. Another overhead passageway connected the 2nd floor of the Process Building to a 2-story section of the Acadia Mills building.

To the east of the Process Building, was the Main Mill Building. This structure was four stories (80 ft.) high and covered an area of approximately 580x120 ft. The Dye House, a newer 30x580 ft. single-story concrete block structure had been added along the east side of the Main Mill Building. The New Building, a 155x360 ft. one-story concrete block structure, was connected to the north half of the Dye House.

The New Building bordered French and Chase Streets, which were the east and north perimeters of the Malden Mills property. Across these narrow streets the neighborhoods consisted of 2- and 3-story wood frame residential buildings. Broadway Street, which is primarily commercial, is one block to the east. Stafford Street provided access from Broadway to the middle of the complex, south of the Main and Process Buildings. An elevated covered walkway, 385 feet long, crossed Stafford Street and a large employee parking area on the south side to connect the Process Building to the Marriner building.

The Spickett River formed the west perimeter of the property. Between the buildings and the river was an open area, approximately 50 feet wide. A large number of 40 foot trailers, some of which were used for storage, were parked in this area. Several trailers were parked at the loading dock and more were parked along the west wall of the building.

The original mill complex extended north and south along the river bank and included several additional structures which were not involve in the fire. The dividing line between Methuen and Lawrence was located just south of Stafford Street and ran through the southern section of the Monomac Building.

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