Long-awaited report reveals electrical fault likely caused Brunswick PFAS spill

TIMES RECORD • October 3, 2025

A fault in an electric module likely caused Maine’s largest reported spill of toxic firefighting foam, a new report on the spill’s root cause has concluded. A lengthy and long-anticipated report from Poole Fire Protection released Friday found a fault in a module card — a component of the fire alarm system — likely triggered the discharge of 1,450 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water into Brunswick Executive Airport’s Hangar 4 on Aug. 19, 2024. The foam released contains a toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) compound, one of several so-called “forever chemicals” that have been linked to serious health problems. The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority in recent months has gotten rid of its remaining stock of toxic foam.