Firefighter Killed During Lumber Mill Explosion While Trying to Extinguish a Fire

“Multiple individuals sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals throughout the state,” said officials in Maine

NEED TO KNOW

• The Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal said that a firefighter died and several others were injured in an explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine, on May 15
• Firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, was identified as the victim who died in the explosion, and several firefighters remain hospitalized in serious or critical condition
• The firefighters were trying to extinguish a fire at the mill when a silo unexpectedly exploded

A firefighter was killed and several others were hospitalized in serious or critical condition in an explosion at a lumber mill in Maine.

The Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal shared on Facebook that the explosion occurred at Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine, on Friday, May 15, after firefighters from the Searsmont Fire Department and other departments responded to the scene at approximately 10:05 a.m. to put out a fire in one of the mill’s silos.

“While firefighters were conducting fire suppression efforts an explosion occurred,” the agency said in the statement.

Photos of the blaze showed a large silo up in flames with dark billowing smoke rising into the air and firefighters from different stations on the sides of the silo targeting the fire with large hoses.

Multiple people sustained serious and critical injuries in the explosion, and they were transported to hospitals throughout the state, according to the agency.

One firefighter — who the agency identified as 27-year-old Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross — was discovered deceased at the scene. 

His remains were transported to the medical examiner's office in Augusta for an autopsy before being taken to Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast, according to Maine State Police.  

“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with the firefighter’s family, loved ones, and colleagues during this devastating time,” State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler said in a statement. 

The agency added that “the fire departments have contained the fire, but suppression efforts are still underway” in their May 15 statement.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the agency, which noted that due to the “complexity of the scene” the investigation is “expected to take some time.”

Maine Gov. Janet Mills shared on X that she visited the site to “thank first responders” and meet with the owners of the Robbins Lumber, which she said “has been a cornerstone of the community and a mainstay of the forest products industry.”

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“I told the Robbins family that Maine people will have their back as they face the challenge ahead,” she wrote. “I ask Maine people to keep the Robbins family, their employees, first responders, and the people of Searsmont and Waldo County in their thoughts and prayers.”

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