Explosion reported at Androscoggin Mill in Jay

[jpak]

Source: Bangor Daily News

An explosion occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, officials said.

The scope of the explosion is not yet known, Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols said. A LifeFlight helicopter was responding to the scene, Nichols said.

Local resident Rebecca Burhoe was driving home on Route 140 across from the mill when she heard the explosion, which she said sounded like a bonfire taking off.

“Out of the corner of my eye I just saw this big huge plume of smoke,” Burhoe said.

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Read more: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/04/15/news/lewiston-auburn/explosion-reported-at-verso-mill-in-jay/

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This is Jay Maine - where I grew up - and near this mill

The woman interviewed in the story is a former neighbor

My family worked at this mill and I still have friends that work there.

My brother just called and told me it was like a "mini Hiroshima" and that debris from the explosion landed in the local shopping center 2 miles away.

Not good.

[saidsimplesimon]

1. What would cause an explosion at a mill?

The article does not have any further information.

I am so sorry for any impact it has on employees there.

[LiberalArkie]

3. If a grain mill, then grain dust. If a cotton mill for fabric, then cotton fiber. etc

[jpak]

5. Could be natural gas - they use it there - it is a paper mill

n/t

[Throckmorton]

12. A lot of it too.

As I recall the mill is supplied by a 16 inch pipeline.

[jmowreader]

10. The papermaking process produces explosive gases

https://www.rpta.org/safety/explosion.cfm

Utne Reader condensed version: Wood is made out of complex carbohydrates and sulfur. When they pulp it to make paper, anaerobic bacteria are used to help break down the fibers. Those bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen gases, both of which are explosion hazards. If these gases accumulate to sufficient quantity and reach an ignition source...boom.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Hydrogen Sulfide Has Heat Of Combustion...

...more than 1/3rd of gasoline. And it's already a gas.
Hydrogen far higher.
But, H2S is pretty soluble in water. (4% at 20C). Hydrogen, not as much, so more dangerous.
That said, in a waste water treatment plant, they may be flushing across screens to degas the water prior to effluence. That could release a lot of gas.
Another thing to consider at a paper plant is a steam explosion. Or boiler.
Those plants use massive amount of high pressure steam.

[barbtries]

2. oh I am so sorry.

I hope the people are all safe.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Police: No injuries reported after Androscoggin Mill explosion in Jay

https://bangordailynews.com/2020/04/15/news/lewiston-auburn/explosion-reported-at-verso-mill-in-jay/

[jpak]

6. That's miracle! - good news!

n/t

[democrank]

7. Good news indeed

Hope everyone is safe

[jpak]

8. Video and updates here

https://www.pressherald.com/2020/04/15/explosion-reported-at-paper-mill-in-jay/

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Hubby used to work at the Ames down there.

[jpak]

11. So did my brother

[Squeaky41]

13. Jay Blast

Grew up in Wilton, next town north. Many I know have worked there over decades.

Now retired in California.

[harumph]

14. whenever I hear stories like this I think insurance fraud.

3.5 years of Trump and I'm more cynical that ever...

[RhodeIslandOne]

15. Sounds like the start of a Stephen King novel

[OneCrazyDiamond]

18. The trees planted a bomb at the mill.

Arbor-vengeance.

[C Moon]

16. The company filed for bankruptcy a few years ago but pulled last minute, and was sold in February.

https://bangordailynews.com/2020/02/11/news/lewiston-auburn/verso-completes-sale-of-androscoggin-mill-as-part-of-400-million-deal/

Earlier this month, a majority of Verso stockholders approved the sale after an unsuccessful bid from two shareholders — private-equity firms Atlas Holdings and Blue Wolf Capital Partners — that sought to derail the deal. That followed approval from the company’s board of directors and regulators.

In early 2016, Verso filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and then exited the bankruptcy restructuring that same summer.

It idled the No. 3 machine in 2017 and laid off 120 employees. Those moves were in response to declining demand for coated paper used in magazines and other glossy publications.

[jpak]

17. Verso recently sold that mill to Pixelle

n/t

[Judi Lynn]

19. Maine paper mill explosion rains down debris on town

APRIL 15, 2020 / 4:53 PM

By Danielle Haynes

April 15 (UPI) -- An explosion at a paper mill in southwestern Maine caused debris to rain down on nearby witnesses Wednesday, though officials said no injuries were reported.

The blast happened around noon at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, about 30 miles northwest of Augusta.

"We're hearing from the mill that all employees and contractors are accounted for and that there are no injuries," Maine Department of Public safety spokesman Stephen McCausland told the Bangor Daily News.

The company said there were fewer employees inside the paper mill at the time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Androscoggin Mill employs about 300 people.

More:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/04/15/Maine-paper-mill-explosion-rains-down-debris-on-town/5511586980298/?sl=2&ur3=1

[bluedigger]

20. Wow!

I grew up in Farmington (the county seat) and have had many friends and relatives work in that mill over the years. Spent a couple weeks working there myself during a summer shutdown around 1979 or so. Hope everyone is okay. Second explosion in the county in the last year.

[jpak]

21. Worked shutdown in 1976

Flash drier the rest of the summer .

$$$

[bluedigger]

22. Brass shack for the Fourth of July shutdown.

They kept me on to do payroll.

$$

[jpak]

23. And proud union member

Fuck Jock McVermin