A huge explosion occurred at a paper mill in Maine, which caused a huge, heavy, dark fume into the sky, was recorded on video Wednesday afternoon.
No harms were announced but many of the buildings were ruined, as indicated to reports.
“I’m just so happy that everyone’s OK. Thank our lucky stars and the man upstairs,” Kristen Goodhart, whose son works at the mill, stated.
DEVELOPING: Massive explosion at paper mill in Jay, Maine; several injuries reported
*Language Warning*
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 15, 2020
An explosion at a paper mill in Maine shook the ground and produced a plume of smoke and debris that was visible for miles around.
No injuries were reported. https://t.co/BzyHzVWwMn pic.twitter.com/nOHQ5z4Bji
— ABC News (@ABC) April 15, 2020
The explosion was counted a serious strike to the state’s paper manufacture, which is already distressed by the influence of the coronavirus lockdown, as well as integration that saw five other factories close between 2014 and 2016.
Wednesday’s disaster also got the attention of author Mainer Stephen King, who tweeted a message in response.
“A paper mill blew up in Jay, Maine today, not too far down the road from us,” King wrote. “A TOILET paper mill. So keep a stack of magazines and advertising circulars handy.”
A paper mill blew up in Jay, Maine today, not too far down the road from us. A TOILET paper mill. So keep a stack of magazines and advertising circulars handy.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 15, 2020
Androscoggin Mill hires 500 employees and is the number two largest employer in Franklin County. Pixelle Specialty Solutions of Pennsylvania, the owner, did not know until early Thursday if the mill can be resumed partially and continue to produce.
The mill industry’s specialization is paper products but it was not clear if it’s toilet paper.
“We don’t know yet what the future may bring for the Androscoggin Mill,” Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat who lives in Farmington, said at a news conference. “That will come more fully into view in the coming days.”
Today, an explosion rocked the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the sky. Let us be grateful that this explosion did not take any lives and tomorrow be ready to meet whatever challenges may come with open eyes, steady hands, and hopeful hearts. pic.twitter.com/b1mSSANGXm
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) April 15, 2020
