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Advertisement Quick actions of workers credited with limiting damage caused by Maine mill explosion Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The quick actions of workers at the paper mill in Jay are being credited with limiting the damage caused by Wednesday’s large explosion, according to investigators.A digester at the mill exploded, sending a plume of wood fiber, water and pulping liquor into the air.The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office said Investigators interviewed several mill employees who were in the immediate vicinity of the digester when it exploded, and although debris came very close to the building they were in, all escaped without injury. Despite the severe damage, several of those mill workers manually shut down valves to prevent further damage after the explosion.Officials called it “nothing short of a miracle” that no one was seriously injured in the explosion.Some people who suffered respiratory issues were treated and released Wednesday.Officials said Friday that more work is needed before the investigation into the explosion is wrapped up.The investigation into the cause of the blast is being led by a team of investigators from the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The Fire Marshal's Office said investigators wrapped up their on-site work Friday afternoon. A team of boiler and pressure vessel inspectors from the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, who joined the investigation, have additional work to complete.The mill is owned by Pixelle Specialty Solutions.The massive explosion was caught on camera. The video showed a huge plume of debris shoot from the exploding digester.The explosion was felt miles away and debris spread across the Jay area.A total of 500 people work at the mill. About 165 were at the mill at the time of the explosion.A mill official said Thursday that it was too early to determine when the mill could restart operations.