Investigators say fatal Maine lumber mill fire was accidental and started in silo

The May 15 fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont killed Andrew Cross, 27, of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, and injured a dozen other people, including family members who run the mill and other emergency responders. The fire produced large plumes of black smoke and required hundreds of firefighters from dozens of departments. Investigators determined the fire originated at the base of a silo and that rapid ignition of particulate material caused an explosion in the silo. The explosion lifted the silo from its concrete base, released sawdust and other materials, and led to the silo toppling and surrounding area engulfment. The fire suppression system near the silo top did not activate because temperatures there did not reach its threshold after ignition at the base. Investigators plan further examination in coming months.

"The fire and subsequent explosion at a Maine lumber mill that killed a firefighter and injured a dozen other people was accidental and originated at the base of a silo, authorities said Tuesday. The May 15 fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont killed Andrew Cross, 27, of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department. The injured people include members of the family that runs the lumber mill and other emergency responders. The fire sent plumes of black smoke into the sky and required hundreds of firefighters from dozens of departments to suppress it."

"Rapid ignition of particulate material resulted in an explosion in the silo that caused it to lift from its concrete base and release large amounts of sawdust and other materials, the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office said in a statement Tuesday. The silo then toppled and the surrounding area became engulfed in fire, the office said. Investigators will return to the facility in the coming months to conduct a more detailed examination, the fire marshal's office said."

""Investigators also determined the facility's fire suppression system, which was located near the top of the silo, did not activate because temperatures at that elevation did not reach the activation threshold after the fire originated at the base of the silo," the office's statement said. Lumber mills are major sources of combustible dust. High winds during the investigation delayed the investigation's findings, Maj. Aaron Turcotte, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said last week."

""High winds throughout the day created difficult working conditions on scene, resulting in flying debris and periodic interruptions to investigative operations. Drone operations and aerial photography were particularly challenging due to the wind, causing delays in some s""

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