Honoring Late Farmington Fire Captain Michael Bell [Video]

FARMINGTON, Maine — Sept. 16, 2019, is a day the Farmington community won’t forget. It was on that day Fire Capt. Michael Bell gave the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a call just down the road from the fire station.

It’s been five years since the LEAP Incorporated building exploded, killing Bell and injuring six others, including Tim “T.D.” Hardy.

“No call is ever routine,” Hardy, who now serves as the town’s fire chief, said. “Unfortunately, there are times when we get ourselves in extremely dangerous situations.”

On the anniversary of Bell’s passing, Hardy reflected on the kind of person the former fire chief was.

“He was always—no matter whether it was Christmas, middle of the night, snowing, cold, little calls, big calls—he was always here,” Hardy said.

Deputy …