Maine Firefighter Killed in Lumber Mill Explosion & Fire Identified

We have additional information about the shocking explosion and fire that happened at a Searsmont lumber mill on Friday morning.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, Officials say multiple fire departments responded to a fire Friday morning at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.

According to investigators, crews were called to the mill around 10:05 a.m. after a fire was reported in one of the facility’s silos. Firefighters from Searsmont and several mutual aid departments were working to put out the blaze when an explosion happened at the scene.

Multiple people were hurt and taken to hospitals across Maine, with several reported in serious or critical condition.

Officials also confirmed that one firefighter died at the scene.  That firefighter has been identified as Andrew Cross, a member of the Morrill Fire Department. The article explains that Cross's body was taken to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for an autopsy and positive identification.

A Saturday morning update explains that:

The State Police Honor Guard will be assisting with the Honorable transfer of Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross, leaving the Medical Examiner's Office at 1100 AM, traveling Route 3 to Morrill and across Route 137 to Belfast, where his body will be taken to Riposta’s Funeral Home on Waldo Avenue.

As of Friday night, the fire had been contained, but crews remain on scene.  The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the cause of the fire and explosion.

Many agencies assisted with the fire.  These included Albion, Appleton, Belmont, Camden, Freedom, Hermon, Hope, Jackson, Lincolnville, Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Northport, Palermo, Prospect, Searsmont, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Thorndike, Union, Unity, Waldo, Warren, West Frankfort, and Whitefield Fire Departments, along with the Maine Forest Rangers, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, ATF and OSHA.