[UPDATE] Explosion in Farmington -Officials Release Names Of Victims

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, working with the Farmington Police and Fire Departments, has released the names of the victims of today’s explosion in Farmington.

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland, the firefighter killed in the explosion was Farmington Fire Captain Michael Bell, 68, and a 30-year member of the fire department.

McCauslans said the six other Farmington firefighters injured were –

• Fire Chief Terry Bell , 62,   who is the brother of Michael Bell
• Captain Timothy D. Hardy, 40
• Captain Scott Baxter, 37, and his father, Firefighter Theodore Baxter, 64
• Firefighter Joseph Hastings, 24
• and Deputy Fire Chief Clyde Ross, who was treated and released from Franklin Memorial Hospital.

The five other injured firefighters are being treated at Maine Medical Center in Portland and all sustained serious injuries, McCausland said.

Chief Bell, Hardy, Scott Baxter and Hastings are full-time members of the fire department, according to McCausland, Michael Bell, Theodore Baxter and Ross are part time firefighters.

Also injured in the explosion was Larry Lord, 60, a maintenance worker at the facility.  Lord was flown to Mass General Hospital in Boston.

Fire Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office will be joined by fire investigators from ATF and will begin processing the scene Tuesday to pinpoint the source of the explosion. Firefighters had been called to the building along Route 2 at 8:07 AM for a propane smell in the building.  The explosion took place minutes later. The two-story building, with a new addition recently opened, was flattened, McCausland said.

UPDATE - 1:10 p.m. -- According to WABI, during a press conference this afternoon (Sept. 16), it was announced that the Farmington Fire Chief sustained "critical" injuries during today's explosion and has been Lifeflighted to a hospital.

The name of the firefighter killed in the explosion has not been released, he was described as a long time member of the department.

UPDATE- 11:50 a.m.-WABI has posted an update on the victims of the Farmington expolosion.

UPDATE - 9:45 a.m.--According to WMTW, one firefighter has been confirmed killed in the building explosion on Route 2 in Farmington today (Sept. 16).

The story said town officials reported that one firefighter, whose name has not been released, was killed and there were several other injuries. According to the story, five firefighters and one civilian were injured.

The report said firefighters were inside the building investigating a report of an odor of propane when the explosion happened.

******Update 9/16/19 @9:00 am******

According to WMTW, the explosion happened at 313 Farmington Falls Road in a building that houses LEAP Inc. offices. An organization that assists people with various disabilities.

Many firefighters have been reported injured.

Local witness reports state that the building was just built one week ago and was fully staffed this morning. Multiple Lifeflights are en route to the scene.

*****Original story****

Reports from WABI indicate an explosion in Farmington on Farmington Falls Road. Photos indicate the explosion happened near Shiretown Tire. Commuters are being asked to find alternate routs and to stay clear of the area.

We'll update this story as new information becomes available.