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A fast-moving fire destroyed a Machiasport seafood processing plant on February 20. Superior Shellfish, located at 61 Kennebec Road, was determined to be a total loss by fire crews. Volunteer firefighters from Machiasport, Marshfield, East Machias, Machias and Jonesboro responded to the scene after a 911 call was received at approximately 6 p.m.
Superior Shellfish is a wholesale purveyor of seafood in the area, buying local seafood from fishermen and providing direct sales to restaurants and supermarkets throughout Washington County. The 20-year‑old business owned by Doug Wood and his wife Anne currently employs five people. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and the owners have been unavailable for comment.
A trailer on the premises owned by Wood was occupied at the time of the fire. Quick action from fire personnel prevented the fire from spreading to the structure. No casualties were reported.
The extreme cold temperatures made it difficult for firefighters to battle the blaze, and ultimately a decision was made to pull back because of adjacent propane tanks venting flames. "We quickly made the decision to pull back and evacuate the area," says Machiasport Assistant Fire Chief Michael Hinerman. "At that point we determined this as a life-safety response versus property-rescue event due to the potential for the propane tanks to explode, which would have spread fire and shrapnel to areas close by."
Residents of a nearby home and trailer were evacuated, and the building fire was extinguished by midnight. Fire personnel remained on site until 4 a.m. to monitor the propane tanks and surrounding area.
"This is a loss to the town and its economy," says Machiasport Selectman Jeff Davis. "Fishermen and clammers alike, myself included, depend on these type of operations to buy our product, not to mention the impact this will have on the employees and their families." According to Davis, there is only one other buyer in town where local fishermen can sell their catch. "I am hopeful they will rebuild and continue operating in our town," says Davis.
Investigator Edward Archer from the State Fire Marshal's Office was on site the day after to try and determine a cause for the fire and subsequently returned on February 24 to finish his investigation. Archer has officially listed the cause of the fire as undetermined.