Four-county fire department, EMS response to Searsmont explosion, multiple injuries reported
SEARSMONT — Emergency crews from multiple towns across Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties are converging at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont where an explosion was reported around 10:15 a.m. A call for mutual aid was made eat 11:06 a.m.
Multiple injuries have been reported and patients are being transported to local hospitals.
Forestry and Marine Patrol, Maine State Police and Waldo County Sheriff's Office, Appleton, Belfast, Troy.Montville, West Frankfort, Northport, Augusta EMS, Prospect, Liberty, Belmont, Belfast, Thomaston, Waldoboro, South Thomaston, Unity, Palermo, Maine Health Emergenc Health Services ambulance, Morrill, Brooks, North East Mobile Health, Rockland Fire Dept., Thorndike, Waldo County Mobile Command post, Camden Fire Dept., Rockport, Lincolnville, Union, Hope, LifeFlight, Appleton and more have been arriving at the scene.
Most non-essential employees are have been evacuated from the site and are staging at the end of Robbins Mill Road. Pops and minor explosions continue to be heard coming from the site.
Maine State Police are blocking Main Street at the intersection of Route 105.
Katherine Robbins-Halsted, vice president of Robbins Lumber and one of the company's three co-owners, made a statement at approximately 1:15 p.m.: "I would like to thank the fire departments for their tremendous response. The most important thing is that all of our employees are accounted for. I would like to thank everybody who has reached out with their thoughts and prayers and offers of help...The most important thing, I am so thankful for, are accounted for. Buildings can be replaced. Employees cannot. And the fire departments have done a tremendous job. And I thank them for everything they have done.
This story will be updated when more details become available. Here is a link to video from WABI TV 5.
