WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (AP) – Fire destroyed a vacant mill Sunday just a few weeks after the town made a zoning change that would have cleared the way for it to be converted to condominiums.

Dozens of firefighters from Windsor Locks and neighboring towns were called to the old Montgomery Mill on Main Street just before 5 p.m. Heavy smoke from the massive blaze could be seen for miles.

Within a couple hours after the first call went out, the building began collapsing.

“It’s pretty tragic because we thought we were making some progress with the zone change,” First Selectman Steven Wawruck Jr. said.

There have been several attempts over the years to renovate the complex. Most recently, a developer proposed turning it into condominiums. Last month, the town planning and zoning commission approved a zoning change from industrial to residential.

Firefighters were expected to be on the scene all night. Wawruck also anticipated some streets would remained closed and suggested anyone traveling to the town on Monday use alternate routes.