Probe Underway into Blast at Searsmont, ME, Lumber Mill where Firefighter Killed, Others Hurt
A memorial continues to mount outside the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department to honor Firefighter Andrew Cross.
Cross answered his final alarm Friday at Robbins Lumber.
As his body was removed from the debris of a silo that exploded, fellow firefighters, police officers and others halted the operation and stood with their heads bowed, according to NewsCenterMaine.
The Maine fire marshal's office is being assisted by ATF investigators as they work to determine the cause. They are expected to be at the site throughout the week.
The fire started in the part of the mill complex where wood shavings are bagged for retail sale. The bagging area was connected to a large silo where shavings were stored.
The silo exploded during the firefighting operation.
“It blew me 15 feet right through the air. Some guys dragged me out," said Searsmont Fire Chief James Ames.
A firefighter told a dispatcher there had been a massive explosion and described firefighters and fire trucks burning.
When asked the number of ambulances, he replied: "Send all of them."
Cross was killed and 10 were injured.
Due to the number of patients involved, he declared it a mass casualty incident (MCI).
During a press conference, Maine Fire Marshal Shawn Estler said: "We’re Waldo County made up of all volunteers. What I saw was professional firefighting efforts. I saw everybody working hand-in-hand, pull those lines, move apparatus. And put water on the fire. I also saw members from State Police, Forest Service and a bunch of various State agencies lending a hand wherever they could."
Several firefighters remain hospitalized, some in serious condition from burns. Among them was Belmont Fire Lt. Katherine Paige, transported to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland where she was placed in a medically induced coma while being treated for severe burns to her hands and face. She was named Firefighter of the Year in 2025.
Lincolnville Firefighter Aaron Heald was released after treatment at Maine Medical Center.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.