A massive fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine, killed a firefighter and injured at least 11 other people Friday, authorities said.
The firefighter was found dead at the mill after a silo exploded while crews were responding to flames at the rural wood-processing facility, state officials said. The cause of the blast is under investigation; Maine fire marshal Shawn Esler warned it may take time before investigators can determine what happened.
MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, a Level 1 trauma center, said it was treating 10 patients who had been transferred from local hospitals. Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor said it was caring for one patient in critical condition.
The mill is located in Searsmont, a town of roughly 1,500 residents about 150 kilometres north of Portland. Fire departments from across the county and state responded and worked for hours to contain the blaze.
“We have dumped all of the resources from the whole county over to that area,” Waldo County 911 director Mike Larrivee said, describing the large-scale emergency response.
Robbins Lumber, which describes itself as a high-tech lumber manufacturer, has been family-owned since 1881 and is run by the same family for five generations. Family spokesperson Christian Halsted called the fire “a hugely devastating day for the family” and said the mill would not be operating in the near future. He said the family is cooperating with authorities.
Lumber and wood products are a major industry in Maine. The Maine Forest Products Council said the sector contributed more than USD 8 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and supports about 29,000 jobs.
Gov. Janet Mills said she had been briefed on the situation and urged people to avoid the area and follow law enforcement instructions to allow emergency personnel to respond. “I ask Maine people to join me in keeping all those affected in their thoughts,” she said.
State and local officials continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and the circumstances that led to the fatality and injuries.
