By Riley King
Just before 10:30 Tuesday night a report of a fire at the former Penobscot Energy Recovery Co (PERC) plant.
When crews arrived at the plant off River Road, they found the entire tipping floor area on fire with flames shooting through the roof of the 200 x 400 steel building.
The fire crews could not get inside to suppress the fire because of the instability of the building. They will also need to remove the nearly 40-foot-high pile of decomposing trash. For now, officials say the fire is contained but still burning, and likely will be for several days. Crews will remain on the scene and monitor the situation.
According to Orrington Fire-Rescue, residents of Orrington and Hampden are strongly advised to keep their windows closed, as much as possible, due to significant smoke. But at 9:22am the Orrington Fire-Rescue added Brewer and Bangor to the list to keep windows closed.
The Environmental Protection Agency is working with Eagle Point Energy Center, the Town of Orrington, Penobscot County EMA, MEMA, and others to assist with the environmental impact of the ongoing fire.
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