A report has recently revealed deficiencies in the fire suppression system at a hangar in Brunswick Executive Airport around a year before it discharged gallons of firefighting foam containing harmful chemicals in Maine’s largest accidental spill of the fire suppressant on record. The incident occurred on Aug. 19 at Hangar 4, where 1,450 gallons (5,490 liters) of firefighting foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of water was released at the former Navy base.
An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the fire suppression system discharge. The foam involved in the incident contains chemicals known as PFAS, prompting its removal and advice from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the public to avoid consuming or limit freshwater fish from four nearby bodies of water.
The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, responsible for overseeing the property’s redevelopment, recently disclosed a fire suppression inspection and testing report from July 2023. Following the report, efforts were made to address any deficiencies by arranging for a technician, but scheduling proved challenging according to Kristine Logan, the group’s executive director.
Logan mentioned that the group is actively seeking alternatives to having an active foam system in the hangar and stated that they were not ignoring the issue. PFAS are chemicals present in various products like food packaging and clothing, known to be linked to health issues such as cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed limits on these chemicals in drinking water for the first time last year.
The Brunswick Naval Air Station ceased operations in 2011, and automated fire suppression systems are required in large hangars such as the ones that previously contained P-3 Orion subhunters and other aircraft.
