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A firefighter was killed and at least 10 other emergency responders and mill employees injured after a massive explosion and fire tore through Robbins Lumber's sawmill complex in Searsmont, Me.
Co-owners Jim Robbins and Alden Robbins, along with family member Lily Robbins, were among those being treated for burns at the Massachusetts General Hospital’s burn center. Alden and Lily reportedly were injured while assisting an injured firefighter.
The blaze was first reported at a silo on the Robbins site on Friday morning May 15.
According to the Midcoast Villager, authorities suspect the blaze started in a section of the mill complex where wood shavings are bagged for retail sale. The area is adjacent to a large silo used to store shavings. Workers unsuccessfully attempted to douse the fire themselves, as a call went out to the fire department.
The bagging area and silo were next to a fuel depot for Robbins' trucks and a warehouse holding millions of board feet of lumber. While fire crews were battling the fire, the silo exploded, shooting up into the air and crashing back down on the warehouse.
Searsmont Fire Chief James Ames told the Midcoast Villager that he believes that bearings in a gear box near where shavings were bagged up may have gotten too hot, igniting the blaze.
On May 17, investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were joined by Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team to jointly examine the scene and officially determine the origin and cause of the fire and explosion.
Robbins Lumber posted a statement on its website: "Our hearts are with the family of the firefighter who lost his life in service to our community, and with the firefighters who remain hospitalized as they recover from their injuries. We are profoundly thankful for the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice shown by the first responders who answered the call that day."
