More Ways to Donate to the Farmington Explosion Victims

Two firefighters and a maintenance man remain hospitalized after a massive explosion destroyed the LEAP Inc., building in Farmington.

It was just after 8:00 when the Farmington Fire Department responded to a report of a propane smell at the building. Maintenance man, Larry Lord, evacuated the people working in the building before it exploded sometime before 8:30. Farmington Fire Captain Michael Bell, 68, was killed. At last report, Lord was still in critical condition in a Boston hospital. In addition, Fire Chief Terry Bell is listed in fair condition and Captain Scott Baxter is serious condition. Several other firefighters have been released from the hospital. Many homes next to the building suffered serious damage, displacing at least 30 people.

Now, the community is working to help these folks get back on their feet, and support the families of the injured. Owners of the former Barclaycard building in Wilton have offered the use of their facility to LEAP, Inc., which provides services to people with disabilities. Fundraising information is being posted on the Downtown Farmington Facebook page, including a disaster relief fund  and Fireman's Benevolent Association, both through Franklin Savings Bank. The bank will donate matching funds, up to $10,000, for each account.

The Tri-Valley United way has set up an account to raise funds, and there's a GoFundMe page set up, specifically, for Larry Lord.

An official cause of the explosion has not been determined, other than that it involved propane.