A fire broke out early Wednesday morning at The Mill apartment complex in Mishawaka, Indiana, while the building was still under construction. Paramedics, who were responding to a separate call in the area, discovered the fire.

The blaze occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on March 12, 2025, at The Mill, a luxury apartment complex under construction at Ironworks Plaza. Fire crews responded to the scene after reports of flames on the southwest corner of the complex at Front and West streets. Assistant Fire Chief David Ray noted that the fire seemed to have started in that area, but the exact cause has not yet been determined.

"One of our medic units was on a call this morning and saw the fire and called it in," Ray said.

Once firefighters arrived, aerial water cannons from Mishawaka, Clay, and South Bend fire units were deployed, along with additional crews who entered the building to combat the flames. By 8 a.m., firefighters were still working to extinguish the fire from the top of the structure while other teams ensured that the fire did not spread further inside.

The Mill complex, which is still under construction, was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. "No one was inside the building because it is under construction," Ray confirmed.

Flaherty & Collins Properties, the developer of The Mill, was at the scene by mid-morning. Though initially declining to comment, the company later issued a statement in the afternoon:

“We are grateful to the firefighters, police and other public safety from both Mishawaka and surrounding communities for responding to the fire at The Mill II at Ironworks Plaza,” the statement read. “The Mill II, a mixed-use project with 226 apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail along with a 450-space parking garage, was planned to open in the next 60 days and does not currently have residents."

The company went on to emphasize their commitment to rebuilding the damaged sections. “Flaherty & Collins is fully committed to rebuilding and restoring what was lost as soon as we are able to do so. We will continue to provide updates as we work through the investigation process with city and fire officials.”

The fire’s impact is still being evaluated, but construction crews were making progress when the fire occurred. One worker from Whitlock Painting Contractors, who did not wish to be named, mentioned that his team had been painting the fourth-floor walls and was about two months away from completing their work.

About The Mill Project

The Mill is a $67 million development, and the second phase involves the construction of 226 apartments, commercial space, and 442 parking spaces. Groundbreaking for the new building took place in October 2023, four years after the completion of the first phase of The Mill apartment complex in 2019.

Flaherty & Collins Properties is behind both phases of The Mill. The first phase of the project houses Sun King Brewery and Social Cantina, and the second phase will include commercial spaces with riverfront views. The apartments will offer a range of floor plans, including studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom with a den, and two-bedroom units. Residents will enjoy amenities such as a fitness facility, meeting space, pool, lounge and bar area, bike storage, LED lighting, steel appliances, full-size washers and dryers, and private balconies.

Despite the setback, construction on The Mill continues, and the developer is focused on recovering from the damage as quickly as possible. The community is eager to see the completed project, which promises to be an important addition to downtown Mishawaka.

Originally reported by Grog Swiercz in South Bend Tribune.