Searsmont, ME, Silo Blast that Killed Firefighter Considered Accidental
The silo explosion at a Searsmont lumberyard that claimed a firefighter is being considered accidental.
Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross was killed and several others were injured May 15 in a massive explosion and fire at Robbins lumber mill.
While the incident remains under investigation, the Maine State Fire Marshal's preliminary report released Tuesday indicate the fire started in the area of the unloader mechanism at the base of a silo, WGME reported.
As the fire continued, investigators determined "rapid ignition of suspended particulate material resulted in an explosion within the silo."
Witnesses said the blast lifted the silo into the air before it crashed down and ignited other structure fires.
The fire suppression system in the silo didn't activate because temperatures never reached the threshold.
NIOSH investigators are among those conducting a detailed analysis of the incident.
Searsmont Firefighter Ben Levesque shared his thoughts on the devastating incident on the town's Facebook page.
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Susan Nicol
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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.