HOULTON, Maine — Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone said a waste oil furnace located behind a 10-foot-by-10-foot metal shed at Steelstone Industries was likely the cause of a Monday evening fire at the asphalt plant.
Firefighters were called to the 144 Steelstone St. plant at 6:09 p.m. for an “unknown problem,” the chief said.
“When we arrived on scene, we found a small tin shed next to the asphalt plant fully involved in flames,” Cone said.
Firefighters had to wait for the Houlton Water Company to disconnect the electrical lines before they could get to work putting out the fire, Cone added.
“There is so much electricity going to that plant, we wanted to be sure our personnel were safe before going in,” he said. “Once the power was off, we were able to advance and put the shed out quickly.”
The fire was contained within 45 minutes, the chief said. There was no discharge of waste oil, he added.
The waste oil furnace provides the heat needed to manufacture asphalt. Cone said the fire also damaged much electrical wiring, including electrical boxes that supply power to the asphalt plant.
“It’s unfortunate for Steelstone because this is the time of year when they are the busiest,” Cone said.
According to Grady Tidd of Steelstone, asphalt production only will be impacted for a couple of days as an electrician was on the scene Tuesday morning working to repair the damage.
