MORNING SENTINEL • February 24, 2023
Crews were able to contain a large fire at a propane filling station early Friday morning in a blaze that ignited tall flames visible for several miles. The fire, reported at 5:15 a.m. at the Dead River Shell Station at 500 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville. No one was injured by the fire, which Esler said was caused when a plow tractor mistakenly struck a fuel fill hose, pulling it from the pump station and causing propane to leak from the line. Officials believe damaged electrical wires then ignited the leaking propane, sparking the fire.