Fire Marshal’s Office Releases Preliminary Report on Deadly Mill Explosion

It has been over a week since the deadly explosion and fire at the Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont and, after an extensive investigation by local and federal authorities, we are starting to get some details about what caused the tragic incident.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety' Shannon Moss, the Maine Fire Marshal's Office has released a preliminary report on the incident.

Over the weekend, cranes were brought in to move the collapsed silo structure, giving investigators access to some of the most important parts of the scene as they searched for evidence and worked to piece together exactly what happened.

Based on what investigators have uncovered so far, the fire is believed to have been accidental.  Authorities say the blaze likely started near the unloader mechanism at the bottom of the silo.  Before crews could fully knock down the smoldering fire, suspended particles inside the silo rapidly ignited, triggering a powerful explosion.

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Investigators determined the blast was strong enough to lift the silo off its concrete base before it toppled over.  That collapse released huge amounts of sawdust and particulate material into the air, fueling a fast-moving fire that quickly spread across nearby buildings throughout the mill complex.  The result was widespread destruction that could be seen for miles, with smoke towering over the Midcoast like a thunderhead made of ash and timber.

Officials also learned more about why the facility’s fire suppression system failed to stop the fire. According to investigators, the system was located near the top of the silo, but temperatures there never became hot enough to trigger activation because the fire started much lower inside the structure.

The investigation is expected to continue for months. Authorities say they plan to return to the site for more detailed inspections of the unloader system, including additional testing with insurance representatives and technical experts.

The Fire Marshal’s Office also says it will coordinate with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as part of firefighter safety reviews and the line-of-duty death investigation process connected to Firefighter Cross.

Investigators additionally clarified that John Ward, who had initially been identified as a mill employee, was actually responding to the incident as a member of the Lincolnville Fire Department and was not affiliated with the mill itself.

Officials say their thoughts remain with the family of Firefighter Cross, fellow firefighters, and those injured in the explosion who are still recovering.