Multiple fire departments have responded to a fire at a shuttered paper mill near St. Cloud.

The fire at the Verso Paper Corp. mill began Wednesday evening. A plume of smoke could be seen for miles.

The mill closed after a fatal explosion and fire in 2012. It was purchased by American Iron & Metal Co. and is in the process of being demolished.

Crews responded from St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Stephen and St. Joseph to put out the flames. Fire department water tankers frequently left and returned to the site.

The Sartell Fire Department says it is speculated that the cause of the fire may have been due to demolition plans.