ENFIELD, CT — A Connecticut fire department is sending one of its engines north to help a small Maine town recover after a deadly lumber mill fire and explosion damaged fire apparatus and injured multiple firefighters.
The North Thompsonville Fire Department announced on social media that it has donated Engine 42 to the Searsmont Fire Department in Searsmont, Maine. Department officials said the donation came after Searsmont recently lost fire apparatus while crews were operating at the Robbins Lumber mill fire and explosion.
The May 15 fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber killed Andrew Cross, 27, a firefighter with the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, and injured 12 other people, including emergency responders, according to the Associated Press.
Investigators later determined the fire was accidental and began near the base of a silo before rapidly ignited sawdust and other material caused an explosion, the Associated Press reported.
Several firetrucks were damaged or destroyed in the blast, according to WMTW, which reported that the Searsmont, Belmont and Appleton fire departments were among the agencies that lost apparatus. The station reported that affected departments were relying on mutual aid while working to restore their fleets.
North Thompsonville officials said the department understood “the critical role every piece of equipment plays in protecting our communities and supporting our members on the fireground,” and saw an opportunity to help.
“It is our honor to place this engine into service where it can continue protecting lives and property while assisting Searsmont in rebuilding their fleet,” the department said in its announcement.
The department said the donation reflects the mutual-aid bond shared by firefighters, even across state lines.
“The fire service is built on brotherhood, sisterhood, and mutual aid,” the department said. “Whether across town or across state lines, firefighters stand together in times of need.”
North Thompsonville’s apparatus page identifies Engine 42 as a Pierce Quantum Class A pumper with a 500-gallon water tank and foam capacity.
Additional details on when the donated engine will enter service in Searsmont were not immediately available.
Patch reached out to town officials for further information.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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