Firefighters were called to the sawmill at 10:57 a.m., according to Breitung Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Rose.

“By the time we got there, the south end of the building was pretty well involved,” Rose told The Daily News. “Once we got it knocked down and could get in, we did open up the building to get the heat out.”

Firefighters, along with Dufeck employees, opened the building’s overhead doors and used a forklift to tear into one wall for air flow.

“That was the quickest, the easiest method,” Rose said, adding Dufeck employees were helpful “in every way” to Breitung Township crews.

Brian Christensen/Daily News photo

The building sustained extensive damage, Rose said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The BTVFD returned to the station at 2:24 p.m.

Firefighters were assisted by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Kingsford Public Safety, Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post, Integrity Care EMS, DTE Energies and We Energies.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.