WARREN – A State Fire Marshal’s investigator was able to narrow down the area within the storage and processing sites at Beth’s Farm Stand. The specific source, however, will remain undetermined.

“The property owner was having a cup of coffee when he heard a big bang outside,” said Warren Fire Chief Greg Andrews. “He threw his boots on, and when he went outside, he saw the fire.”

Several material and chemical sources triggered multiple explosions, starting with the initial blast at approximately 5:55 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Affected by the fire was the main barn, which was wood framed with aluminum siding and roof. There was a steel Quonset hut cold storage area and a wood framed processing area on the south end of main building.

The main building was full of equipment at the time, according to Andrews. The cold storage area had cabbage, squash, and onions.

An estimated 40 firefighters from eight departments responded to the fire at the farm. Two departments, Washington and Appleton are not normally a part of Warren’s first-call mutual aid list, but were requested this time for help with water supply.

No one was injured, though one person had not been accounted for initially, according to Andrews. That person became accounted for prior to firefighters’ arrival.

Firefighters were on scene for six and a half hours.

WARREN – A few minutes before 6 a.m., Knox County Communications Office received a report of fire at Beth’s Farm Stand, 1986 Western Road, in Warren, Wednesday, December 12.

Warren Fire Department and all mutual aid arrived to find a metal garage opposite to the store on fire. Inside the structure, owned by Beth’s, were multiple tractors and other farm related vehicles and equipment.

Cushing, South Thomaston, Thomaston, Union, Hope, and Waldoboro answered the call, quickly setting up two hose operations due to two buildings in flames, along with numerous exterior vehicles. Waldoboro EMS staged in the area, just in case.

Soon after, further tanker-truck assistance was requested from the towns of Washington and Appleton.

Southerly breezes blew dense smoke and hose spray toward the same firefighters set up to extinguish the flames. Then, as soon as the moisture landed, very cold temperatures produced ice spray on faces, clothing and lenses, as well as all other surfaces. Simply removing a glove caused freeze pain within seconds.

WARREN — Firefighters from Union, Cushing, South Thomaston and Washington were scene of an early morning fire that began Wednesday morning in a barn across from Beth’s Farm Market. The barn is located at 1986 Western Road. 

The fire began at approximately 6 a.m. a portion of Western Road remained closed at 7:45 a.m. as firefighters continued to work to extinguish the blaze. No additional details of what started the fire were immediately available. 

Knox Communications used their Facebook page to advise drivers to stay clear of the area until further notice due to road closures. 

According to the Beth’s Farm Market Facebook page, everyone is safe.

The same post from Beth’s indicated that the market will be closed today, Wednesday, December 12. The Facebook post does not indicate when the store plans to reopen, but promises to provide updates. 

Beth’s is typically open seven days a week May through December. 

This story will be updated