The Fire at Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont, Photo Provided by the Department of Public Safety.
The Fire Marshal’s Office Investigators and ATF Special Agents worked throughout the Memorial Day weekend at the scene of the Robbins Lumber fire and explosion in Searsmont on May 15th. During the time, personal paused to honor Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and remember military members who made the ultimate sacrifice to their communities.
The Office of State Fire Marhshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team began demobilization operations on Monday following completion of the initial scene examination. While the on-scene phase of the investigation concluded, the investigation itself remains active and ongoing. Over the weekend, crane operations were completed to lift and move the silo structure, allowing investigators access to areas critical to the scene examination and the evidence recovery effort.
Based on the information obtained to date the cause of the fire is considered accidental. Investigators believe the fire originaled in the area of the unloader mechanism at the base of the site. Before fire suppression operations could fully contain the smoldering fire, a rapid ignition of suspended particulate material resulted in an explosion within the site. Investigators determined during the explosion that the silo lifted from its concrete base, releasing large amounts of sawdust and additional particulate material. The silo then toppled over, at which point the surrounding area became rapidly engulfed in fire. Tthe fire rapidly spread to adjacent buildings and structures within the mill complex, contributing to the extensive damage to multiple buildings.
In the coming months, investigators wlll return to the facility to conduct a more detailed examination of the unloader systems, which may include additional testing in coordnation with insurance reprentatives and additional technical experts to further identify a cause. Investigators also determined the facility’s fire suppression system, which was located near the top of the silo, did not activate because temperatures at that elevation did not read the activation threshold after the fire originaled at the base of the silo.
The investigation is expected to remain open while follow-up analysis, testing, reports and coordination continue. Freedom of Acess Act (FOAA) requests related to the investigation will be directed to the ATF. The Office of State Fire Marshal will be coordinating with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding firefighter safety and has initiated the line-of-duty death review processes.
Additionally, investigators learned through interviews that John Ward, initially identified as a mill employee, responded as a member of the Lincolnville Fire Department and was not affiliated with the mill.
Our thoughts remain with Firefighter Cross’s famly, fellow firefighters and the injured individuals, continuing their recovery according to a press release issued late this afternoon by Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer for the Maine Deprtment of Public Safety, Augusta.