LINDEN — Authorities responded to what was characterized as a substantial fire at Linden Lumber Company late Friday evening.

The call reportedly emanated at 9:45 p.m. According to Linden Director of Public Safety Scott McClure, the fire originated in the hydraulic room of the Linden Lumber Company saw mill.

“When we got there, it was a pretty significant blaze,” McClure said. “In a saw mill like that, you’ve got oxygen and acetylene bottles.”

First responders extinguished the blaze by approximately 10:45 p.m. and proceeded to check the area. No word is yet available as to the cause but damage is said to have been limited to mechanical equipment.

“We went back and met with Linden Lumber representatives (Monday) and still don’t know a cause of ignition. It started in the hydraulic room,” McClure said, pointing to the fact that no one was on duty at the time of fire. “They had had some guys working earlier that evening. I think they said they had left about 8:30 or 9 p.m. They were not working in that area (at the time of the fire).”

The blaze reportedly has the saw mill shut down for an indefinite amount of time – about two weeks,” McClure said of the mill.