EMLENTON, Venango County — The 140-year-old Emlenton Mill has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the historic mill for more than seven hours Thursday night into this morning.

Part of the complex was still burning as of 5:30 a.m. today.

Emlenton Fire Chief Dave Whitehill said the mill, two shop buildings and four houses were damaged.

The fire started about 10 p.m. Thursday and spread quickly. Freezing weather hampered firefighters from getting water on the structures.

The Emlenton Mill, one of the first steam-powered gristmills in the United States, operated for more than 100 years.

In recent years it's been home to an ice cream shop, a bunkhouse hostel and a museum.