SEARSMONT — Investigators say they are still working to determine the cause of a deadly Friday fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber that drew 46 fire departments and 299 firefighters.
“Our investigators continue to work alongside our federal partners to determine the origin and cause of this explosion,” Maine Fire Marshal Shawn Esler said Tuesday. “This remains a very active and complex investigation.”
For days, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been interviewing witnesses, digging up evidence and removing debris from the site.
Joel Davis, chief fire investigator for the state fire marshal’s office, said 30 ATF personnel are in Maine, working with 12 state investigators. They’ve interviewed 150 people so far.
“Today investigators are using heavy equipment more to remove the remains of large pieces of metal in the area of where the silo is so they can get in under where the incident happened,” Davis said.
Esler said the Searsmont incident is reminiscent of the 2019 propane explosion in Farmington that killed a fire captain and injured six others.
“The Farmington explosion is the last time it was a countywide response, not only to the emergency but in the weeks after the emergency to stand up the fire department and keep the citizens of Farmington protected,” he said.
The briefing came five days after the fire and explosion killed a firefighter and injured 12 others, a mix of mill employees, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Some are hospitalized in Boston and others are in Portland.
Four have been treated and released.
Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, was killed. Friends described him as a community minded volunteer and a “firefighter’s firefighter.”
Esler said as the investigation continues, they are all remembering those who answered the call on Friday.
“We continue to keep those fighting for their lives in our thoughts and prayers, along with their families and the medical teams that are caring for them,” he said.
The fire and explosion drew emergency crews from more than 45 departments, as water trucks streamed in and out of the lumber yard to help douse the flames. Plumes of white and black smoke stretched into the sky and flames could be seen over the treetops.
Fire trucks from Searsmont, Belmont and Appleton sustained damage during the incident, according to Maine Department of Public Safety.
As state and federal officials investigate the cause, they’ve run into problems with high winds kicking up debris, state police said.
One investigator sustained minor injuries at the scene earlier this week. Robbins Lumber is cooperating with the investigation, Esler said.
“Waldo strong is more than a phrase,” he said. “It is something you can feel.”