Massive Explosion and Fire Reported at Maine Lumber Mill

UPDATE Friday 1:10 PM: WMTW is reporting that at least five people have been hurt in the incident.

Original story follows...

According to an article on the WMTW website, a massive fire and explosion at a lumber mill in Searsmont has prompted a huge emergency response from crews across the region.

The news station reported that the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, along with several local fire departments, responded to what Waldo County Dispatch described as a “mass casualty incident.”   Apparently, that term does not necessarily mean there are fatalities, but rather indicates there may be more injured people than local emergency crews can immediately handle.

According to the Augusta Fire Chief, WMTW said, an Augusta ambulance crew intercepted one patient suffering from burns connected to the incident. Officials say the injured person had initially been traveling to the hospital in a personal vehicle before being transferred to the ambulance and taken to a hospital in Augusta.  The chief also noted that hospitals closer to Searsmont were already extremely busy.

A person who answered the phone at Robbins Lumber on Main Street said about 11:25 a.m. Friday, there was an active situation happening at the facility, according to WMTW. The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office said investigators were headed to the scene. Fire departments from Camden, Thomaston, and Searsmont were all assisting with the response, per the news station.

Janet Mills also released a statement urging people to avoid the area and allow emergency crews to work.

Representative Jared Golden reportedly shared the following about the situation:

I’m aware of the fire and explosion in Searsmont. As my team and I seek out more information, I am praying for the safety and well-being of first responders and everyone else on-site," he said. "I ask locals to follow law enforcement instructions, and to look to official channels and trusted sources for more information as it becomes available.

Roads near the scene remain closed.

You can see a short video of the fire HERE.

Our thoughts are with all those working at the mill and dealing with this terrible situation.