The building fell under the weight of ice and caught fire.
By John Plestina
Special to the Sun Journal

RUMFORD – A federal safety inspector met with mill and union officials Thursday to investigate the recent building collapse and fire.

Two MeadWestvaco mill workers were treated for smoke inhalation after the 100-year-old maintenance and office building fell under the apparent weight of ice and caught fire early Jan. 20.

Mill spokesman Steve Hudson said Friday that an inspector from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration asked questions about the collapse and fire.

Gary Hemingway, president of the Paper, Allied-Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers Union Local 900, said he attended the meeting Thursday.

“We met about the ice that was involved in the building, the collapse that was involved in the burning, and the investigation into the evacuation and the building. There was a complaint filed with OSHA.”

Hemingway said issues under investigation by OSHA include the timeliness of evacuations and a buildup of ice on the roof prior to the collapse.

Hudson said Friday that he did not have an estimate of damage.

“It had only a minor impact on inventory and the building was very old and it was not a critical part of the mill’s functioning,” he said.

“We were thankful that we were able to get everyone out of the mill and get them accounted for promptly,” Hudson said. He also said there was no delay in evacuating workers.

“Every time we have an incident at the mill, we review it and look for ways to improve it,” he added.

Copy the Story Link