Robbins Lumber Silo Explosion in Searsmont Kills Firefighter, Injures 11

A firefighter was killed, and at least 11 others were injured after a fire and silo explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine, on Friday, May 15, 2026.

The firefighter, a 27-year-old member of the Morrill Fire Department, was found dead at the scene. Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said many of the injured are in serious or critical condition at hospitals across the state. A lieutenant with the Northport Volunteer Fire Department was among those injured. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, a Level 1 trauma center, is treating 10 of the patients. One critically injured patient is being treated at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

What Happened

Firefighters were dispatched to a silo fire at the Robbins Lumber mill at 506 Main Street South around 10:05 a.m. The Searsmont Fire Department was the initial responding agency, with at least two dozen mutual aid departments assisting from across Waldo County and beyond. As crews worked to suppress the silo fire, an explosion occurred.

Robbins Lumber purchasing manager Ben Hamel told the Bangor Daily News that flames spread from a packed wood shaving storage area to an adjacent silo filled with dust, which then exploded. The Searsmont fire chief told reporters the blast threw him 15 feet through the air. Multiple fire apparatus were lost to the fire.

Crews worked for hours to contain the flames. As of approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday, the fire was contained but still burning. All Robbins Lumber employees were accounted for, according to the co-owner and VP of administration.

The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office is leading the investigation, joined by ATF, OSHA, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and Maine State Police. State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler said the investigation may not produce immediate answers.

Combustible Dust as an Industrial Hazard

Wood dust is classified by OSHA as a combustible dust. Fine wood particles generated by sawing, planing, sanding, and drying can accumulate in enclosed spaces such as silos, dust collectors, and ductwork. When suspended in air at sufficient concentrations and exposed to an ignition source, they can deflagrate. A primary deflagration can disturb dust accumulated on surrounding surfaces, triggering larger secondary explosions.

Investigators will work to determine what allowed dust to reach explosive concentrations, what ignited it, and whether the safeguards required by industry standards were in place. Our thoughts are with the family of the firefighter who was killed, those who were injured and their loved ones, the Searsmont community, and everyone who responded on Friday.