Staff Writer
HOULTON — Houlton Fire Department’s two thermal imaging cameras helped avert what could have been a serious fire last week.
Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone said fire crews were called out around 10 p.m. last Tuesday when employees at Tate & Lyle reported smelling smoke, but couldn’t locate where it was coming from.
“The only way we were able discover it was by using both thermal imaging cameras to scan the area,” said Cone. “What we found was [a hot spot] where contractors had some welding on the roof earlier in the day. That generated enough heat to start smoldering, and it was burning under the insulation.”
Thanks to the heat-sensing cameras, firefighters were able quench the burn with minimal damage.
Crews cleared the scene with 45 minutes, said Cone.
