A chemical explosion tore through a paper mill in the US state of Maine on Monday morning, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others missing. The blast, which occurred at the Pixelle Specialty Solutions mill in Jay, has reignited debate over workplace safety in an industry where margins are squeezed and maintenance is frequently deferred.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 9am local time. Witnesses described a deafening roar and a fireball that rose hundreds of feet into the air. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a chemical reaction involving a tank of hydrogen peroxide, a common bleaching agent in paper production.
Janet Holbrook, a union organiser who has represented workers at the mill for decades, said the accident was a tragedy waiting to happen. "The company has been cutting corners on safety for years," she told this paper. "They prioritise production over people. Now we've got workers trapped under rubble and families waiting for news."
The mill, which employs around 400 people, is one of the largest employers in the area. The town of Jay, with a population of just 4,800, has a long history of paper manufacturing, but the industry has been in decline. Many of the workers at Pixelle earn between $18 and $22 an hour, far below the national average.
This incident will not be seen in isolation. The US paper industry has recorded a steady rise in industrial accidents over the past five years, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In many cases, the accidents stem from ageing equipment and inadequate training.
The missing workers are believed to be trapped in the collapsed sections of the plant. Rescuers are battling toxic fumes and unstable debris. One firefighter was hospitalised with minor injuries.
Pixelle released a brief statement expressing "deep sorrow" but provided few details about the circumstances of the blast. The company has been cited by OSHA multiple times for safety violations, including failures to properly maintain chemical storage tanks.
Local MP Gary Mitchell said he would be demanding a full inquiry. "These are our neighbours, our friends. We need to know that their safety is not being traded for profit," he said.
The incident will also stoke wider concerns about workplace safety in the US manufacturing sector. With many mills operating on thin margins, critics argue that safety budgets are often the first to be slashed. Union representatives have long called for stronger federal oversight and harsher penalties for safety breaches.
As the sun set over the Kennebec River, a crowd gathered at the town's community centre. They came not just for news, but for each other. "We've always looked after our own," said Mary O'Neil, whose husband works in the mill's finishing department. "But this time, it feels different. It feels like the system has failed us."
Search efforts are expected to continue through the night. The true extent of the disaster may not be known for days. For now, a community holds its breath.
