Chemical spill at Auburn cannabis facility forces evacuations, road closures

AUBURN, Maine — A chemical spill at an Auburn cannabis business prompted evacuations and road closures for several hours Thursday.

First responders were called to Cure Cannabis Company at 30 Riverside Drive around 11:44 a.m. for a report of criminal mischief, Auburn police said in a press release. When officers and firefighters arrived, they encountered a chemical spill and strong, noxious odors, the release stated. Crews evacuated the business and nearby properties as a precaution.

Several of the first officers on scene were evaluated by medical personnel after encountering the fumes and were later cleared, according to officials.

Sections of Riverside Drive were shut down for much of the afternoon while the Androscoggin COBRA-HazMat team and the Androscoggin Emergency Management Agency assessed and mitigated the spill. Authorities said the building has since been cleared for occupancy and deemed safe.

The investigation into the reported criminal mischief and the cause of the spill remains ongoing. Police said additional information would be released as it becomes available.

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