Date: February 21, 2019
Location: Bucksport, Maine (USA)
Address: 2 River Road, 04416
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Sawdust
Industry: Paper Products (Pulp & Paper)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Verso Paper Mill
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
The property used to belong to Verso Paper Mill which, according to the company website, is a leading producer of graphic and specialty papers, packaging and pulp. In 2014, it closed and was acquired by AIM Development Corp, a New York-based demolition company, which proceeded to tear down buildings and infrastructure on the site in preparation for a Whole Oceans salmon farm operation.
Incident Description:
On February 22, 2019, the Ellsworth American reported a fire at the site of a former paper mill outside Bucksport, Maine.
According to the Bucksport Assistant Fire Chief, sawdust in the dust collector system caught fire when workers used cutting torches to take apart a boiler system. A passer-by who saw smoke called for assistance.
Everything was in metal containers, which made the fire more complicated to extinguish. The demolition workers had to use special equipment to rip the containers open for the firefighters.
The fire department was on the scene for at least 90 minutes. No injuries were reported and the extent of any property damage is unknown.
Previous Incidents:
On March 20, 2017, Nip Impressions reported a fire at the former Verso Paper Mill. It started at around 8:20 a.m. on March 18, while demolition workers were cutting into the metal of an exterior wall in the former thermomechanical pumping area, and spread to the roof of the building. The flames were soon extinguished and no injuries were reported.
Sources:
Ellsworth American
Nip Impressions
