The Robbins Lumber Mill now says it resumed operations at its Searsmont mill 11 days after a fire and explosion left a firefighter dead and injured 12.
Robbins Lumber Vice President Catherine Robbins-Halsted says operations returned on May 26th, a day after fire investigators finished onsite examinations.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office and a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team are investigating the fire.
The company says its using sites in Sanford and East Baldwin for production and warehousing, while also constructing a temporary warehouse on site.
It’s also continuing normal operations at its coating facility, five miles away from the Searsmont fire and explosion site.
Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross was killed in the explosion, while nine other first responders and three Robbins Lumber management staff were injured.
Robbins Lumber President James A. “Jim” Robbins, Vice President of Sales Alden Robbins and Robbins Lumber employee Thomas Wolf were injured in the fire and explosion. Searsmont emergency volunteer Lily Robbins, the daughter of Alden Robbins, was also injured.
The company says Jim, Alden, and Lily continue to receive excellent care at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“We remain hopeful and encouraged by their progress and look forward to welcoming them back when they are able,” said Vice President Catherine Robbins-Halsted in a statement. “We also continue to hold all those recovering and affected by this tragedy in our hearts and thoughts each day.”
