Capt. Michael Bell, Farmington Maine Explosion one Killed Firefighter, Injured Six others.
Farmington, Maine – (MARKET NEWS)
A Farmington, Maine fire captain has died and six of his colleagues injured in a building explosion that rocked the Farmington neighborhood of Maine which was reportedly caused by propane or gas leak.
Firefighters went to check out a gas smell just after 8 a.m. at the LEAP facility, which had recently been renovated and expanded. LEAP, which stands for Life Enrichment Advancing People, is a group that provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to its website.
#BREAKING : Farmington, Maine – Massive Explosion at the LEAP Inc Building kills 1 firefighter and injures multiple people at Farmington Falls Rd#Farmington
Video : JenayDpic.twitter.com/MHqycvzVuH
— Shark NewsWires (@SharkNewsWires) September 16, 2019
When first responders arrived and began investigating the scene, the building exploded. According to a statement released by Police Chief Jack Peck.
The deceased firefighter was identified as Capt. Michael Bell who is a brother to the fire department chief, he was a 30-year member of the Farmington Fire Department. According to state fire marshal’s office
Among the six fire fighters and LEAP Service members injured, five had serious injuries, police said.
LEAP said on Facebook that a maintenance person was injured in the blast.
“It was an unfortunate tragic accident, Police Chief Jack Peck said. Investigation revealed the explosion may have been cause by natural gas or propane leak. The explosion resulted in the destruction of multiple homes and the LEAP Building.
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols compared the scene of the incident to what his witnessed in Irag when serving oversea. He said many of the injured had been burned.
“It was just total devastation. I’ve never seen destruction like that in my career,” Nichols said. “I’ve been in law enforcement 35 years, I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life, except overseas. It was horrible.”
Images from the explosion scene show rubble, papers and a building in total ruins, other pictures from the scene of the explosion show what appeared to be insulation covering the street and areas around the explosion site.
In an interview with CNN after the incident, Jacob Gage told CNN he was lying in bed when his building “shook with a thunderous boom” and his home lost power. He then rushed to the scene of the explosion to check of his sister who he said lives nearby.
Main Governor, Janet Mills, who was born and raised in Farmington released the following statements.
Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragedy, especially to the loved ones of the firefighter lost and others injured. I am grateful for the work of first responders who are at the scene and urge Maine people to avoid the area. (2/2)
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) September 16, 2019
I have directed that the United States and State of Maine flags be flown at half-staff statewide immediately through sunset on September 18, 2019 in honor of the Farmington firefighter who lost his life and those who were injured in today’s explosion. pic.twitter.com/fdWgC0k2sL
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) September 16, 2019
Farmington, located along Route 2 in western-central Maine about 35 miles northwest of Augusta, had about 7,760 residents as of the 2010 Census.
Aerial footage from ABC News shows the aftermath of an explosion in Maine that killed one firefighter and injured six others.
Aerial footage shows the aftermath of an explosion in Maine that killed one firefighter and injured six others.
The explosion, the cause of which is believed to be a propane leak, completely demolished a group home for developmentally disabled adults. https://t.co/U3vOi9rW2l pic.twitter.com/1VgOewIiDe
— ABC News (@ABC) September 17, 2019
