The Fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont,. Phoo Provided by Department of Public Safety.
On Friday, May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:05 am., multiple fire departments responded to a reported fire in one of the silos at Robbins Lumber a 506 Main Street in Searsmont. The Searsmont Fire Department was the initial responding agency with numerous mutual aid departments assisting in firefighting efforts.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fire in the silo at the mill. While firefighters were conducting fire suppression efforts, an explosion occurred. Multiple individuals sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals throughout the state, Including Maine Med in Portland. Several are reported to be in serious and critical condition. One firefighter was located deceased on the scene. The firefighter will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed and positive identification confirmed.
Investigators are still working through notifications and confirming information related to those who were injured. Additional information about the injured will be released when appropriate. The fire departments have contained the fire, but suppression efforts are still underway. The cause and origin of the fire are being investigated by the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. Because of the complexity of the scene, the investigation is expected to take some time. We will provide additional information when it’s appropriate according to a press release issued early this evening by Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer, for the Maine Department of Public Safety, Augusta.
Assisting agencies included the Albion, Appleton, Belmont, Camden, Freedom, Hermon, Hope, Jackson, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, Northport, Palerno, Prospect, Searsmont, Searsport, Stockton Spring, Thorndike, Union, Unity, Waldo, Warren, West Frankfort, and Whitefield Fire Departments, along with the Maine Forest Rangers, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, ATF and OSHA.