The fire and subsequent blast at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine, on May 15 resulted in the death of 27‑year‑old Andrew Cross of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department and injuries to about a dozen others, state officials said Tuesday. The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office’s investigation found that the blaze started at the base of a sawdust‑filled silo, where rapid ignition of particulate material caused the structure to lift off its concrete base and explode. The explosion dispersed sawdust and other combustible debris, igniting nearby wood and spreading the fire across the mill site.
High winds hampered early investigative work, with officials noting that debris and dust made aerial documentation difficult. Maj. Aaron Turcotte, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said the gusty conditions caused “periodic interruptions” to the investigation and delayed scene photography. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined state officials in the aftermath, underscoring the incident’s seriousness.
The response was massive: fire crews from dozens of departments, totaling hundreds of firefighters, worked through the night to bring the fire under control. The blaze took several hours to contain, and the fire‑suppression system, located near the top of the silo, did not activate because temperatures there never reached the required threshold.
Governor Janet Mills later ordered state flags lowered to half‑staff in memory of Cross, describing him as a hero who “died a hero.” Christian Halsted, a family spokesperson for Robbins Lumber, called the day “hugely devastating” for the family and confirmed that the company is cooperating fully with investigators. The mill, a family‑owned operation dating back to 1881, is a key part of Maine’s historic lumber industry, which contributed more than $8 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and supports roughly 29,000 jobs.