UPDATED (7:15 p.m. ET):
WMTM reported that according to the Maine Department of Public Safety and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, one firefighter was killed in an explosion while trying to extinguish the fire.
EARLIER:
By Patrick Whittle
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine — Emergency responders in Maine are at the scene of a large fire and explosion at a lumber mill in a small town in the state’s scenic midcoast region where several people are injured.
Waldo County officials said Friday that they are considering the fire and explosion a “mass casualty event.” They said at least five people were injured as of midday but a full assessment was not complete.
The fire took place after the explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, a town of about 1,500 people about 95 miles (153 kilometers) from Portland, authorities said. Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the blast.
“We have dumped all of the resources from the whole county over to that area,” Waldo County 911 director Mike Larrivee said.
Maine State Police and fire marshals are responding to the fire, state police spokesperson Shannon Moss said. Moss confirmed that there are injuries at the site but said she could not yet provide more details.
A call to Robbins Lumber was not immediately returned Friday. The company’s website states that it has been a family-owned firm for five generations and has been in existence since 1881. The website describes the company as a “a high-tech lumber manufacturer.”
Lumber and wood products are a critical and historic industry in Maine, especially in rural parts of the state. The Maine Forest Products Council said the industry contributed more than $8 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and provides about 29,000 jobs.
Public officials including Gov. Janet Mills said Friday that they are monitoring the response to the blaze.
“I urge folks to stay clear of the area, follow the instructions of law enforcement, and allow emergency personnel to respond. I ask Maine people to join me in keeping all those affected in their thoughts,” Mills posted on X.
