Updated · Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel · May 16
Searsmont Mill Explosion Kills Firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, and Injures at Least 10
Updated
Updated · Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel · May 16
Searsmont Mill Explosion Kills Firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, and Injures at Least 10
11 articles · Updated · Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel · May 16
Andrew Cross, a 27-year-old Morrill volunteer firefighter, was identified Saturday as the firefighter killed in Friday’s explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.
A silo filled with wood shavings exploded at the mill, igniting a large fire that burned some firefighters’ gear and left at least 10 people injured, including firefighters and civilians.
10 patients were transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland after initial treatment in Belfast, Rockport, Augusta and Bangor; one Bangor patient had been listed in critical condition.
Crews from across Midcoast Maine mounted a massive response as smoke rose for miles, Route 131 was closed, and ATF, OSHA, state fire officials and environmental regulators joined the investigation.
The blast hit a community reliant on volunteer firefighters and a mill that employs about 225 people, prompting an honor procession for Cross and broad support across Maine and beyond.
After a firefighter's death and past safety fines, can this 145-year-old Maine business survive?
A fatal blast, a history of fires: Was the Maine lumber mill explosion a preventable tragedy?