Tiolet Paper Mill in Maine Explodes

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, an explosion at a Maine papermill shook the ground and produced a plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles. It appears no one was hurt.

The blast occurred at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine around noon, according to State Police spokesman, Steve McCausland. Personnel from the mill told police that no one was injured, though some people experienced respiratory distress.

The rising cloud of smoke that was recorded by a bystander was followed by raining debris. The debris sounded like bullets as it pummeled the vehicles in the area. Video recorded after the explosion showed that the mill was severely damaged. It employs 500 people and is a key piece of the economy in rural Maine.

The state fire marshal will be investigating the explosion. The cause of the explosion was not made immediately clear to investigators. The scene was still being secured by police on Wednesday afternoon. It is likely the investigation will be in full force by Thursday.

The mill’s explosion significantly damaged the digester, which is used to process raw materials. Spokesperson for the mill, Roxie Lassetter, said the mill was in the preliminary stages. They are assessing the occurrence and evaluating the impact the incident will have on the environment.

A mixture of wood fiber, water, and chemicals was released into the air when the explosion occurred. The company is taking the necessary steps to restore order to the mill side, according to Lassetter. This most important thing is that no one was hurt.

Lassetter stated, “It’s nothing short of a miracle, and we are grateful.”

Gov. Janet Mills warned people to stay away from the scene in Jay. During a news conference, Mills also said that the state is “breathing a deep sigh of relief” that the explosion was not an even larger disaster.

“I just want to say, if ever there was a day when we should believe in miracles, today is it,” Mills stated.

In February, the Androscoggin Mill was sold by the Ohio-based Verso Paper, to a specialty paper producer in Pennsylvania.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions, of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, acquired the mill in Jay and one in Wisconsin in a $400 million deal. At the time, Pixelle said, in terms of annual production, it would make them the largest specialty paper business in the U.S.

“We ask for everyone’s continued prayers through this and will update information once it is available. We are also asking that you stay away from the area and allow the crews to work,” stated spokeswoman for Pixelle, Shilioh LaFreniere.

Author Stephen King tweeted: “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.”

The mill was built in the Jay in the mid-’60s. Today, Jay is a community of 5,000 people. Maine Senate President Troy Jackson said Maine will need to support Jay and its workforce in the “wake of such a major blow.”

“To the 500 mill workers, who showed up to work today expecting it to be an ordinary day, I know that this is devastating and that the next few hours, days and weeks won’t be easy,” he stated.

By Jeanette Vietti

Sources:

USA TODAY: A ‘miracle’ no one was hurt: Maine paper mill explodes, sends up huge plume of black smoke
Fox News: Maine paper mill explosion draws tweet from Stephen King
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: The nation in brief

Image Courtesy of Sam T’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License