‘Ghost hunt’ to blame for fire in wood mill

PERU – A fire that swept through a portion of the former Diamond Match Co. wood mill was caused by a group of teenagers hunting for ghosts, authorities said Wednesday.

Six teens came forward to say they had been inside the darkened building Monday night, and one of them reported noticing a spark and smoke after attempting to turn on the lights of a front-end loader in the building, Fire Marshal Sgt. Joel Davis said.

After leaving, the teens returned to retrieve a flashlight at about 7:45 p.m.; the fire was reported at 8:25 p.m., Davis said.

The teens, who were between 13 to 18, said they were looking for ghosts, and they shared with investigators pictures that they’d taken. They have not been charged, but investigators plan to review their findings with the district attorney, Davis said.

The sprawling mill complex operated from 1934 to 1988, turning out matches, toothpicks, ice-cream sticks and tongue depressors.