Trending Now - Explosion at Maine Lumber Mill Leads to Mass Casualty Incident

WHO:

WGME - Catherine Robbins-Halsted, co-owner of Robbins Lumber Inc.

WGME - Ben Hamel, purchasing manager at Robbins Lumber Inc.

WGME - Gov. Janet Mills, Maine Governor

WGME - Rep. Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative

WGME - Rep. Jared Golden, U.S. Representative

WGME - Sen. Angus King, U.S. Senator

Newsweek - Maine Department of Public Safety

WHAT:

WGME - At least 10 people are injured after an explosion and massive fire at Robbins Lumber Inc.

WGME - A mass casualty response is underway.

WGME - MaineHealth Maine Medical Center is anticipating the transfer of 10 patients injured in the explosion.

WGME - MaineGeneral in Augusta received one patient with burns who was treated and transferred to a higher level of care.

Newsweek - The explosion triggered a mass casualty response as crews rushed to the scene.

WHERE:

WGME - The explosion occurred at 506 Main Street South, Searsmont, Maine, at Robbins Lumber Inc.

WHEN:

WGME - The explosion and fire occurred on a Friday.

WHY:

WGME - The fire started in an area where wood shavings are packed in plastic bags, which then spread to a nearby silo filled with dust that exploded.

HOW:

WGME - Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are on their way to the scene to probe the cause of the explosion.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 19:26 UTC)

At least ten people have been injured following a significant explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber Inc. in Searsmont, Maine, prompting a mass casualty response as emergency crews rushed to the scene. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center is preparing to transfer ten patients injured in the incident, while one individual with burns has already been treated at MaineGeneral in Augusta before being moved to a higher level of care. Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are heading to the site to determine the cause of the explosion, which reportedly began in an area where wood shavings are packed in plastic bags and spread to a nearby dust-filled silo that subsequently exploded.