SEARSMONT, Maine – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has joined the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office in investigating the cause of the fatal explosion and mass-casualty fire at Robbins Lumber Inc. in Searsmont, a disaster that killed one firefighter, injured 11 others, and shut down the mill for the foreseeable future.
Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were joined Sunday morning by special agents from the ATF National Response Team. Fire investigators from both agencies will conduct a joint examination of the scene focused on determining the origin and cause of the fire and the explosion that followed.
The blast killed 27-year-old Andrew Cross, a Morrill Volunteer Fire Department firefighter who was found dead at the scene. Over the weekend, an honorable law enforcement and first responder procession escorted his body to Belfast.
Two victims remain in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after being airlifted for specialized treatment. Eight others continue receiving medical care at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, a Level 1 trauma facility. Robbins Lumber owner Jim Robbins confirmed that three members of the Robbins family were among those injured.
Emergency crews initially responded to a fire inside a silo at the mill at approximately 10:05 a.m. on Friday, May 15. While firefighters were working to suppress the flames, a massive explosion erupted. Searsmont’s fire chief reported that the force of the blast threw him 15 feet through the air.
The explosion and fast-spreading fire also destroyed three fire trucks belonging to the Searsmont, Appleton, and Belmont fire departments.
Company leadership said all employees were safely accounted for, but the multigenerational, family-owned mill will remain non-operational for the near future while state and federal agencies continue their investigation.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the ATF National Response Team was requested because of the complexity of the investigation.
“We recognize the importance of this investigation to the victims, their families, the employees of Robbins Lumber, the local community, and the many agencies involved in the response,” officials said. “We owe the people of Maine a thorough, professional, and methodical investigation.”
The office said ATF is the only federal agency tasked with fire investigation and that the agency responded with specialized personnel and resources, including forensic scientists, electrical engineers, computer modeling experts, and additional fire investigation personnel.
Operations at the scene are expected to continue throughout the week. While investigators remain on site, the Fire Marshal’s Office said it will not conduct in-person media interviews, and the scene will remain secured. Information may be released periodically through the Department of Public Safety and the Office of State Fire Marshal.
Local support efforts have also begun. The Fraternity Village General Store, located across from the Searsmont United Methodist Church, has become a donation hub collecting supplies for first responders and impacted families.
The Town of Searsmont also announced it is launching an official, verified community relief fund following concerns about sudden online scams.
Officials said they are continuing to monitor the conditions of patients receiving care at hospitals throughout New England, many of whom remain in critical condition.
They also thanked the medical teams at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, LifeFlight of Maine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and healthcare professionals across the region who provided immediate and continuing care.
“The impact of this emergency will be felt for years to come,” officials said.
My first thought on this was a backdraft, a confined, oxygen-deprived smoldering fire that produces a great deal of confined superheated carbon monoxide, which will explode upon introduction of fresh air.
This can send people flying through the air, but ignite pallets of stacked wood in the dooryard and destroy three firetrucks?
Yes, there would be a cloud of burning sawdust, if that’s what was in the silo, and I don’t know what epoxy and other chemicals they might have around if they’re doing any composite wood stuff there.
There’s always a first time for everything, if Robbins was doing some innovative things using bio mass for energy, that would likely be new technology that could possibly have something go catastrophically, wrong.
HOWEVER, Lewiston is only about an hour to the west and I think it’s time to start wondering if this fire may have had help — if this could’ve been terrorism.
Lets let the investigators determine the cause but as a lifelong chemical and hazardous materials responder and ICS 400 dude, (private), I do agree that the explosion was most likely a backdraft. Silos are very scary and can kill in a lot of different ways.
My heart breaks for the injured and the families and friends of the deceased fire fighter. I pray that the injured are healed and can live past this. Burns totally suck and its long road to recovery.
Hey Janet; do you think we could have officially put our flags at half staff this past weekend to honor our heroes?