A fast-moving fire fueled by diesel oil destroyed an Amish sawmill in central Wisconsin.

Big Rapids Sawmill and Pallet owner Melvin Gingerich says the fire started Tuesday afternoon in a back room where hydraulic hoses ran the mill's three diesel engines.

The intensity of the fire melted the hoses, which sprayed hot oil throughout the building and sent flames billowing into the air near Stratford.

Employee Jacob Schrock says the flames spread like "a snap of a finger."

Schrock and seven other people working in the mill made it out safely.

Stratford firefighters got help in battling the blaze from three area fire departments.