A report released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health determined that firefighting techniques employed during response to a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont inadvertently contributed to the severity of the incident. The explosion occurred at the base of an oxygen-limiting silo structure and resulted in three fatalities and at least 13 injuries.
Investigators found that firefighters applied water directly into the silo during their response efforts. According to the federal report, the silo’s manufacturer’s emergency procedures specifically warn against this practice. The application of water forced air into the silo structure, disturbed accumulated dust within, and created conditions for an explosive mixture to form. Federal safety officials emphasized that this approach contradicted established safety guidance for handling oxygen-limiting silos.
The incident occurred in a rural area approximately 95 miles northeast of Portland and drew response from 299 firefighters representing 46 departments across four counties. The fire took hours to contain after the silo toppled and engulfed the surrounding area in flames. Among those killed were Wayne Woodbury, assistant fire chief of Searsmont Fire & Rescue, Andrew Cross of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, and Alden Robbins, a mill co-owner who died from injuries weeks after the explosion.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued recommendations that fire departments ensure personnel are trained to select appropriate tactics for silo fires and refrain from directing water or foam into oxygen-limiting silos. The report also called for enhanced training across fire departments regarding hazards associated with different silo types. The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office previously concluded that the explosion resulted from rapid ignition of particulate material and determined the incident to be accidental.
Robbins Lumber stated that the company is collaborating with industry specialists on facility reconstruction and expressed commitment to exceeding current safety standards to prevent future occurrences.
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