An explosion and large fire at a lumber company in Searsmont injured multiple firefighters and civilians, authorities said, and drew a massive emergency response Friday.
Multiple firefighters suffered significant burns after their equipment caught on fire during an explosion at the mill, according to officials at the Kennebunk Fire Department and West Forks Volunteer Fire Department. Civilians were also injured, according to the Thorndike Fire Department.
One person was in critical condition at a Bangor hospital, while one person was treated in Augusta for burns and transferred elsewhere for more treatment, hospital spokespeople said.
Huge plumes of black smoke were visible for miles around the Waldo County town, though they began to shrink as the afternoon went on.
Crews from across Midcoast Maine were dispatched to the scene at Robbins Lumber, located at 506 Main St. S, just to the south of the village center.
Catherine Robbins-Halstead, co-owner of Robbins Lumber, told assembled media Friday afternoon that all employees were accounted for after what she described as a “significant event.”
Follow along for live updates as the situation unfolds.
“A lot of us have friends and family (at the mill),” said Ashley Cook, who came with a pickup truck filled with bottled water. “And if we don’t, we all know someone who is.”
Smoke plume shrinking
SEARSMONT — The thick black column of smoke rising from the mill was visibly much smaller by just after 2 p.m. than it did an hour prior.
Even through the ceiling of gray storm clouds, the smoke had been visible from miles away around noontime.
“Multiple maydays have been called, and units from across the state are either responding or already on scene assisting with operations,” the department said.
They encouraged locals to stay clear of the area and surrounding roadways to allow emergency personnel to work efficiently.
Anyone in need of support is encouraged to contact Assistant Superintendent Jessica Giorgetti at 207-338-1960 or [email protected].
1 person treated for burns at Augusta hospital, then transferred
MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta “has received one patient with burns who was treated and transferred to a higher level of care. We do not expect any more patients related to this incident,” said hospital spokesperson Joy McKenna.
McKenna confirmed that the patient was transferred to another hospital but declined to say which, citing federal confidentiality laws.
A handful of Waldo County sheriff’s deputies and volunteer firefighters bought pizzas from the store to deliver to first responders at the scene, Boyington said.
Some of those who came to make donations hung around in the store’s parking lot to watch the stream of fire trucks whizzing up and down Main Street.
“It’s just awful,” Searsmont resident Winston Durkee said from in front of the store. “(The mill) is such a huge part of this community. We all want to support them however we can.”
1 in critical condition at Bangor hospital, spokesperson says
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is reporting one patient in critical condition from the Searsmont incident, according to hospital spokesperson Chris Facchini.
A fire chaplain can be requested by calling 207-329-2273 or sending a message to [email protected].
“It’s a big part of this community,” she said. “We saw all the smoke and immediately knew this was bad.”
Report: Silo filled with wood shavings exploded, hurting multiple people
According to the Midcoast Villager, people on scene reported that a silo filled with wood shavings exploded after 11 a.m., leaving multiple people with injuries. It wasn’t clear how many people might be hurt.
Local authorities have not confirmed any information about the fire.
Firefighters refill at Bartlett Stream
SEARSMONT — About a half-dozen fire trucks are filling their tanks with water from Bartlett Stream near the town center. They’re driving down from the mill and heading back to the scene as soon as they’re topped off.
“There’s some water (at the mill), but it’s such a large response that it’s not enough to support all the firefighting efforts,” Prospect firefighter Mike Drinkwater said from beside his truck.
Smith has been standing in his truck bed for an hour and a half, and the flames have not died down, he said.
“It’s really not good,” Smith said.
In 2017, the offices of the lumber mill were used as a Senate hearing room as King ran an Energy Committee field hearing on how rural industries could be strengthened by energy technology developments.
At the time, the Robbins family was in the process of installing a $36 million, 8.5 megawatt combined heat and power unit. King said at the time that the project was a model for rural industries attempting to lower power costs.
The department said it would not be issuing burn permits Friday or Saturday as a result of its help with the response.
Steam heated up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit is used to drive a turbine, according to the Robbins website. A portion of the steam is removed and used to dry lumber. Additionally, in the winter months, steam is used to heat the buildings throughout the Searsmont campus.
“I ask locals to follow law enforcement instructions, and to look to official channels and trusted sources for more information as it becomes available,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, asked people to keep the Searsmont community and first responders in their thoughts.
Smoke visible for miles around
The thick black plume of smoke from the fire was visible from miles away early Friday afternoon, even through the low gray clouds lingering in the air.
Rain had been falling heavily but has now slowed to a drizzle.
Large stretch of State Route 131 closed in Searsmont
SEARSMONT — Maine State Police have blocked off State Route 131 between Appleton Ridge Road and Camden Road while crews fight the fire nearby.
Heavy black smoke could be seen rising from the site, located just south of the heart of the village, just before 1 p.m.
Augusta emergency crews on the way
Augusta fire Chief Dave Groder confirmed that emergency crews from the city arrived in Searsmont to find multiple ambulances and one patient who was already being treated for injuries at the scene.
He said the Augusta Fire Department sent one ambulance and one command vehicle to the fire.
Video shows helicopter over scene
A video shared with the Press Herald by Tiffany Mannarini, who lives in Appleton, showed a helicopter over the scene as flames and smoke rose over the smoldering lumber yard.
Witnesses said they saw two helicopters briefly land and take off near the fire. Flight radar indicated the helicopters were owned by LifeFlight of Maine.
Road closed in Appleton south of incident
APPLETON — State Route 131 northbound is closed at its intersection with State Route 105, with a state trooper directing traffic.
Lumber company was site of 2024 fire where no one was hurt
No one was hurt in a November 2024 fire at Robbins Lumber; firefighters contained it to a control room, according to multiple media reports.
Shortly after noontime Friday, no one could be seen at the boat landing, where an unattended vehicle with EMS plates was parked alongside two other vehicles.
Department of Public Safety confirms fire
Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office and rangers from the Maine Forest Service are responding to the lumber mill, Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss said.
She declined to release more information until investigators arrive at the scene.
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