A massive explosion and fire erupted at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont on Friday morning. By Friday evening, the Maine Fire Marshal's Office confirmed that one firefighter had died and several others were in serious or critical conditions due to injuries sustained at the scene. As of Saturday, eight patients were being treated at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, with two patients in critical condition at Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston.
As of Monday afternoon, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center reported that it was still treating five patients. Since their update on Saturday, they said two patients had been released and one other had been transferred to another facility.
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We are starting to learn information about those people who were hurt.
Emergency Responders
Andrew Cross: A 27-year-old firefighter for the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, he was killed in the explosion and fire. His body was given an honorable transfer on Saturday to a funeral home in Belfast.
A memorial was growing outside the fire station in Morrill on Saturday. The Morrill fire chief confirmed to Maine's Total Coverage that Cross worked at General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works. A company spokesperson said, "We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to his community and to his country, and we are deeply saddened by his passing."
They said Cross worked as a second shift outside machinist with BIW for seven years.
Katherine Paige: A firefighter for the Belmont Fire Department. She was taken to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland where she was in a medically induced coma and being treated for severe burns to her hands and face. Her husband said she has a "long recovery ahead." Paige was named Firefighter of the Year in 2025. As of Monday afternoon, she was still at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center.
Aaron Heald: A 20-year-old firefighter from the Lincolnville Fire Department. Family members confirmed to Maine's Total Coverage that their son was taken to Maine Medical Center to be treated. Lincolnville Fire Department shared a post on Facebook late Sunday night welcoming Heald home following his release from Maine Medical Center.
Jacob Spaulding: The Thorndike Fire Department confirmed that a volunteer first responder was injured in Searsmont and shared a Go Fund Me page created to help his family with medical bills. According to the post, Jacob Spaulding now faces a long and challenging road to recovery but is expected to be okay.
James Ames: Searsmont Fire Chief. He had been released by Monday.
Wayne Woodbury: Assistant Searsmont Fire Chief. He was still at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center on Monday.
Sara Tompkins: Searsmont EMS Chief. She was still at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center on Monday.
Clifton Marriner: Appleton Fire Chief. He had been released from the hospital by Monday afternoon.
Liliane "Lily" Robbins: Daughter of company executive Alden Robbins and an EMS volunteer with Searsmont EMS, she was being treated in the burn center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The family said she faces a long road to recovery.
Robbins Lumber Employees
James A. "Jim" Robbins: President of Robbins Lumber, he was being treated in the burn center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The family said he faces a long road to recovery. According to the Robbins Lumber website, Jim Robbins is married and has five children.
Alden Robbins: Vice President of Sales of Robbins Lumber, he was being treated in the burn center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The family said he faces a long road to recovery. According to the Robbins Lumber website, Alden Robbins is married and has six children.
Thomas Wolf: An employee of Robbins Lumber. He was still at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center on Monday.
John Ward: An employee of Robbins Lumber. He had been released from the hospital by Monday afternoon.
This article will be updated as we learn more information and get permission to share it.
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