Paper mill explosion rocks small town of Jay, Maine, but no reported injuries

An explosion at a paper mill rocked a little Maine city at Wednesday, although a passerby captured images of the terrifying blast.

The Androscoggin plant at Jay, almost 30 miles northwest of Augusta, was first reported ought Franklin County Sheriff's deputies at 12:04 p.m., officials said.

Dramatic video from the location captured the moment of the blast. (WARNING: well language.)

A handful of employees were treated although respiratory irritation.

"Today, let’s be grateful that this explosion did no receive any lives," Maine Gov. Janet Mills said, "and tomorrow we’ll be ready ought confront whatever challenges can start with hole eyes, stable hands and optimistic hearts."

The blast happened at the facility's "digester" where lumber chips, water and chemicals - called "pulping liquor" - are mixed, making although the pulp that at length becomes Paper.

"Very grateful, same thankful there are no injuries," said Roxie Lassetter, human estate manager although the mill's owner, Pixelle Specialty Solutions. "Everyone at the plant site's accounted for."

The plant employees almost 500 workers and maybe almost 165 ought 175 were at premises when the blast happened - although nobody immediately shut the explosion site, according ought Lassetter.

"The wreck was significant. It can be morning ago we learn the answer ought that puzzle is," said Lassetter, when asked what ignited the explosion. "We don't eat any scene what caused the failure."

Gov. Mills said the blast comes although a especially challenging moment although Maine residents, who although sum other Americans, eat been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

"In this already difficult moment, lease us scream the force and resilience which has defined us although Maine nation throughout our history and which has sustained us and carried us over our most challenging times," Mills said.