Officials are now investigating whether a conveyor belt is behind a fire that destroyed a Belfast potato factory last week.The state fire marshal said it is investigating the possibility the fire started on or near the conveyor belt, which was in proximity to the fryolator.Officials believe that the conveyor belt may have allowed the fire to get into the ventilation system.Multiple fire crews were called to the fire at the Penobscot McCrum potato processing facility in Belfast Thursday morning. According to officials, eight employees were working at the time of the fire but were able to evacuate the building. Firefighters from several surrounding towns actively battled flames for more than five hours later. Pictures from the scene showed fire engulfing much of the building.Schools in Belfast had to be evacuated along with the Harbor Hill Nursing Home and people who lived in the area were urged to shelter in place and keep their windows and doors shut.GALLERY: Images show massive flames at Maine potato processing facilityFollowing the fire, Gov. Janet Mills surveyed the destruction caused by the flames. “The employees — 138 employees, all local people who have been working here day and night. We want to rebuild. We want to help them rebuild as soon as possible. Get people back to work,” Mills said.The governor also thanked and praised first responders for their swift and courageous response to the fire.In a news release, the Mills administration says the Maine Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team will support Penobscot McCrum and its employees, offering resources such as unemployment compensation.“Today is a difficult day, especially for the more than 130 employees who work hard here day in and day out, but I am so thankful that no one was hurt, and my administration will do all we can to support this iconic company, its employees, and the community moving forward,” Mills said.
Officials are now investigating whether a conveyor belt is behind a fire that destroyed a Belfast potato factory last week.
The state fire marshal said it is investigating the possibility the fire started on or near the conveyor belt, which was in proximity to the fryolator.
Officials believe that the conveyor belt may have allowed the fire to get into the ventilation system.
Multiple fire crews were called to the fire at the Penobscot McCrum potato processing facility in Belfast Thursday morning.
According to officials, eight employees were working at the time of the fire but were able to evacuate the building.
Firefighters from several surrounding towns actively battled flames for more than five hours later. Pictures from the scene showed fire engulfing much of the building.
Schools in Belfast had to be evacuated along with the Harbor Hill Nursing Home and people who lived in the area were urged to shelter in place and keep their windows and doors shut.
GALLERY: Images show massive flames at Maine potato processing facility
Following the fire, Gov. Janet Mills surveyed the destruction caused by the flames.
“The employees — 138 employees, all local people who have been working here day and night. We want to rebuild. We want to help them rebuild as soon as possible. Get people back to work,” Mills said.
The governor also thanked and praised first responders for their swift and courageous response to the fire.
In a news release, the Mills administration says the Maine Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team will support Penobscot McCrum and its employees, offering resources such as unemployment compensation.
“Today is a difficult day, especially for the more than 130 employees who work hard here day in and day out, but I am so thankful that no one was hurt, and my administration will do all we can to support this iconic company, its employees, and the community moving forward,” Mills said.
