At least five people have been hurt after a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont. However, Waldo County officials say a “full assessment” is not complete.The Maine Fire Marshals Office and multiple fire departments are responding to what Waldo County Dispatch is calling a mass casualty incident following an explosion and massive fire.Mill officials said just after 1 p.m. that no employees were injured and all employees are accounted for. That was according to Catherine Robbins-Halsted, the Vice President of Administration in charge of Finance, Human Resources, and Insurances, and President of Robbins Lumber East Baldwin.She said there are generally two people working in the area that is affected and that the fire appeared to be contained. She also said there was significant structural damage. “We have dumped all of the resources from the whole county over to that area,” Waldo County 911 director Mike Larrivee said.Mass casualty incident does not mean that anyone is dead, it simply means there are believed to be more potential patients than the local department can handle.The Augusta Fire Chief confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that an Augusta ambulance crew intercepted one patient with burns sustained in the Searsmont incident and took them to the hospital in Augusta. The chief said that person got into a personal vehicle to get to the hospital. The chief also said hospitals near Searsmont were very busy. A person who answered the phone at Robbins Lumber on Main Street in Searsmont at 11:25 a.m. on Friday confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that there was a situation ongoing at their facility.Video shared with Maine’s Total Coverage showed a massive fire at the mill. You can see that video from Tiffany Mannarini in the media player above.Jeff Quinn also shared pictures with Maine’s Total Coverage showing the fire and smoke.The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed they had investigators headed to the lumber mill. Maine’s Total Coverage has also confirmed that Camden and Thomaston Fire Departments are responding to the scene along with Searsmont. A helicopter was also seen flying over the fire.Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, shared a brief statement at 11:54 a.m.”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,” she said. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, shared a statement at about 12:30 p.m.”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 in the area are closed.The company’s website states that it has been a family-owned firm for five generations and has been in existence since 1881. The website describes the company as a “a high-tech lumber manufacturer.”There are over 115 employees at the Robbins Mill in Searsmont Searsmont and the company has another 100 or so employees at other locations across the state.Lumber and wood products are a critical and historic industry in Maine, especially in rural parts of the state. The Maine Forest Products Council said the industry contributed more than $8 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and provides about 29,000 jobs.Maine’s Total Coverage has multiple crews headed to the scene and is working to get more information.This is a breaking story and will be updated

SEARSMONT, Maine —

At least five people have been hurt after a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont. However, Waldo County officials say a “full assessment” is not complete.

The Maine Fire Marshals Office and multiple fire departments are responding to what Waldo County Dispatch is calling a mass casualty incident following an explosion and massive fire.

Mill officials said no employees were injured and all employees are accounted for. That was according to Catherine Robbins-Halsted, the Vice President of Administration in charge of Finance, Human Resources, and Insurances, and President of Robbins Lumber East Baldwin.

“We have dumped all of the resources from the whole county over to that area,” Waldo County 911 director Mike Larrivee said.

Mass casualty incident does not mean that anyone is dead, it simply means there are believed to be more potential patients than the local department can handle.

The Augusta Fire Chief confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that an Augusta ambulance crew intercepted one patient with burns sustained in the Searsmont incident and took them to the hospital in Augusta. The chief said that person got into a personal vehicle to get to the hospital. The chief also said hospitals near Searsmont were very busy.

A person who answered the phone at Robbins Lumber on Main Street in Searsmont at 11:25 a.m. on Friday confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that there was a situation ongoing at their facility.

Video shared with Maine’s Total Coverage showed a massive fire at the mill. You can see that video from Tiffany Mannarini in the media player above.

Jeff Quinn also shared pictures with Maine’s Total Coverage showing the fire and smoke.

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The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed they had investigators headed to the lumber mill. Maine’s Total Coverage has also confirmed that Camden and Thomaston Fire Departments are responding to the scene along with Searsmont. A helicopter was also seen flying over the fire.

Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, shared a brief statement at 11:54 a.m.

“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,” she said.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, shared a statement at about 12:30 p.m.

“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 in the area are closed.

The company’s website states that it has been a family-owned firm for five generations and has been in existence since 1881. The website describes the company as a “a high-tech lumber manufacturer.”

There are over 115 employees at the Robbins Mill in Searsmont Searsmont and the company has another 100 or so employees at other locations across the state.

Lumber and wood products are a critical and historic industry in Maine, especially in rural parts of the state. The Maine Forest Products Council said the industry contributed more than $8 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and provides about 29,000 jobs.

Maine’s Total Coverage has multiple crews headed to the scene and is working to get more information.

This is a breaking story and will be updated