MACHIAS, Maine — A section of Route 1 here will be closed for several hours Saturday, April 23, for a firefighter training exercise.
Machias firefighters will be burning down a dilapidated building on Route 1, also known as Dublin Street in town, across from J.L. Huntley Plumbing & Heating, Town Manager Christina Therrien informed selectmen at their April 13 meeting.
“It’s falling down. We need to get rid of it,” Machias fire Chief Joey Dennison said later about the old house.
More importantly to Dennison is the opportunity for firefighters, both from Machias and other departments, to train and get certified to use a ladder truck. Firefighters also will practice cutting up the building and venting it. “This is a great opportunity,” he said.
Route 1 will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon, Therrien said. Traffic will be detoured through town.
“The detours aren’t all set yet,” Dennison said, adding that signs and people would direct traffic to help motorists navigate through town during the exercise.