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Searsmont lumber mill explosion: What happened in Maine today? Scary videos amid mass casualty event
Emergency crews from multiple agencies rushed Friday to a major incident at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont
Emergency crews from multiple agencies rushed Friday to a major incident at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont after reports of a massive fire and possible explosion at the facility. Authorities confirmed investigators from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office were dispatched to the lumber mill on Main Street as emergency operations intensified throughout the afternoon, as reported by News Center Maine.
Mass Casualty event
According to reports from CBS 13, dispatch communications described the situation as a possible “mass casualty event,” with emergency personnel requesting additional resources from surrounding departments.
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Scanner traffic reportedly included requests for “whatever you can send,” while responders were also warned about a potentially significant gas leak at the scene.
Dispatchers allegedly instructed emergency crews to notify nearby residents about the reported gas concerns.
Huge smoke plume visible for miles
Videos and images shared online showed enormous flames and thick black smoke pouring from the facility. Meteorologists at News Center Maine said radar imagery showed a large smoke plume rising roughly 4,000 feet into the air shortly before noon Friday.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of injuries or the cause of the incident.
Gov. Janet Mills urges public to avoid area
Janet Mills addressed the incident publicly Friday afternoon after receiving a briefing on the developing emergency.
“I have been briefed on the situation unfolding in Searsmont. 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 wrote on social media.
Robbins Lumber operates major milling facility
According to the company’s website, Robbins Lumber owns and manages approximately 30,000 acres of forestland while also purchasing timber from more than 150 independent loggers.
Its Searsmont operations are based on a 40-acre industrial site that includes a co-generation plant, computerized sawmills, planing mills, warehouse facilities and drying kilns capable of handling 675,000 board feet.
The facility also houses the company’s main offices and additional lumber-processing operations.
Officials have not yet released further details about casualties, structural damage or whether the fire has been contained.
