Encouraging news for firefighter Katie Paige following her latest surgery related to potentially life-threatening injuries she suffered in the Robbins Lumber explosion May 15 in Searsmont.
Paige successfully came out of surgery and is now recovering, according to a national website following her case.
Doctors determined that no additional major procedures are needed, as her right palm has been healing better than expected on its own.
Surgeons performed skin grafts on Paige’s left hand and the top of her right hand.
Medical staff told the family this is expected to be her final surgery.
If her recovery continues to progress well, Paige could be released from the hospital and return home soon.
Paige, a volunteer firefighter for the Belmont and Northport fire departments, is recovering at Maine Medical Center after being severely injured in the explosion.
Paige recently moved out of the ICU and is taking small steps toward a long recovery.
She was waiting to enter the basement of a burning silo when a dust explosion erupted at the mill, killing one firefighter.
Paige suffered severe burns to her face and hands, requiring multiple surgeries and skin grafts.
Paul Paige, her husband, said earlier this month that she was moved out of the ICU into a private room.
Paige has been sitting up, eating, and engaging with visitors, though she still experiences significant pain, her family said.
The brave volunteer was named Maine’s firefighter of the year in 2025.
Firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, tragically died in the massive explosion that nearly mortally wounded Paige.
Cross and other first responders were actively suppressing a fire inside a silo when the explosion occurred, injuring a dozen other people.
Who pays the medical bills of volunteer firefighters?
That’s been an issue in some places — it’s considered workers compensation in cities with paid departments, but volunteers aren’t employees..
The girl firefighter that didn’t die is firefighter of the year while the male firefighter that died is just dead. Check.
Dr. Ed, This may be out of date nor not apply to volunteer fire fighters; however, about twenty-five years ago a large Maine ski area tried to tell its volunteer Ski Patrollers that they would not longer be covered under the company’s workmans’ comp policy. As a member of the then Maine Tramway Board, as well as ski patrolman, I made a few phone calls and found that in Maine “those who render aid to the sick as injured” have to be covered under their company’s workman’s comp policy. As a Maine EMT, I certainly recall numerous times that local fire departments “rendered aid to the sick and injured at fires and vehicle accidents. I am not a lawyer, my Mother would not have raised one, so you may need to talk with someone in the Maine Workmans’ comp office in Augusta to obtain a current answer to your very germane question.
Our local volunteer firemen are paid by the town, not much but they are paid.