Overview
- A silo explosion at Robbins Lumber on May 15 killed 27-year-old Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross and injured at least 10 first responders and mill workers.
- Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury died on June 14 from injuries he suffered in the blast and was honored at a public funeral in Belfast on June 24.
- State and ATF investigators reported on May 26 that the fire likely began when suspended sawdust near the unloader at the base of a storage silo rapidly ignited, and they called the initial scene determination accidental pending further testing.
- The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the on-scene phase is complete but the probe remains active with plans to return for detailed examinations, coordinate with NIOSH, and carry out a line-of-duty death review.
- The incident highlights the known risk of combustible dust in lumber operations, has placed several victims in burn centers, strained local volunteer fire resources, and could prompt regulatory and safety changes once investigators finish testing.