FARMINGTON, Maine (WGAN) Investigators have confirmed that a massive explosion that killed one firefighter and injured several others was caused by a leak in a propane line.
The explosion destroyed LEAP Inc., a local non-profit in Farmington, on September 16th. Fire Captain Michael Bell was killed.
Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said Friday that investigators found the leak in a propane line buried under the parking lot. Investigators say the leaked propane permeated the ground under the parking lot, and some of the gas made it into the basement. The tank was filled Friday September 13th with 400 gallons but was found to be empty when it was checked the morning before the explosion.
Investigators say Larry Lord was in the basement with Farmington firefighters “TD” Hardy, Joseph Hastings and Scott Baxter when the explosion took place. Fire Captain Michael Bell was on the first floor, Fire Chief Terry Bell was near the rear door of the building, and Deputy Fire Chief Clyde Ross and Firefighter Ted Baxter were outside the building in the parking lot.
Work continues to determine how the line was damaged and what sparked the leaked propane to cause the blast.
