A paper mill exploded in Maine on Wednesday – causing ash and debris to rain down, dramatic video shows.
The explosion occurred at the Androscoggin Mill in the town of Jay shortly at around 1 p.m., authorities said.
Video posted to Twitter shows the moments following the initial blast with enormous plumes of black smoke filling the sky.
“F–king mill just blew up! Holy f—k,” a man can be heard saying in the clip posted by @FunkFlashyRob.
Authorities were responding to the scene.
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols said he did not know if any injuries had been reported, according to the Bangor Daily News.
The mill, which employs about 500 people, was once owned by the Ohio-based Verso Corp. and was previously sold to Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC, a paper manufacturer based in Pennsylvania, reports said.
“We promptly implemented emergency response procedures,” a spokesman for Pixelle Specialty Solutions told News Center Maine.
“There are multiple emergency personnel at the scene. Obviously our first concern is to verify that the employees are accounted for, and we have no definitive information yet. Our second priority is to determine any environmental impact to the surrounding area and again, I have no definitive information yet,” the spokesman said.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a statement saying that she is closely monitoring the explosion.
“I urge Maine people to stay far away from the scene, to stay safe and to allow first responders to work as quickly as they can,” Mills said.
The governor added, “I ask the people of Maine to join me in praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those in and around this historic mill. In this already difficult moment, let us summon the strength and resilience which has defined us as Maine people throughout our history and which has sustained us and carried us through our most challenging times.”
The explosion occurred amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
The state has more than 700 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 20 deaths as a result of the contagion.
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