Maine Fire Marshal Calls Initial Scene at Searsmont Fire ‘Chaotic’

More information has been released about a fire in Searsmont that's being called a 'Mass Casualty' event.

Maine Fire Marshal Waiting to Release Information About Injuries

State Fire Marshal Sean Esler declined to comment on how many people were injured in this incident, or the extent of their injuries, commenting only that they had families who needed to be notified.

MaineHealth Medical Center said, in a statement, that it was anticipating the transfer of 10 patients to its Emergency Department who were injured in the Searsmont fire, who were initially treated at Pen Bay Hospital and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital. MHMMC in Portland is a level 1 trauma center.

The nature and/or extent of those injuries was not released.

While details are still coming in, Augusta's Fire Chief told WMTW that at least one patient has been transported to a local hospital with burns.

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"The chief said that the person got into a personal vehicle to get to the hospital. The chief also said hospitals near Searsmont were very busy."

Maine Department of Public Safety and State Fire Marshal Comment on Searsmont Fire

State Fire Marshal Sean Esler said, at a Media conference Friday afternoon that the Searsmont Fire Department received the call at approximately 10:05 Friday morning, and Esler says they were the first on the scene at Robbins Lumber Company, located at 506 Main Street in Searsmont.

Esler called the scene 'chaotic' because of the scope of the fire and the number of buildings involved.

Public Safety Director Mike Sauschuck says fire crews from multiple surrounding towns responded, as well as Maine State Police, the Maine Forest Serivce, the ATF, OSHA, and the DEP, among others.

Searsmont, Maine Fire Reportedly Included Some Sort of Explosion

The official website from Waldo County confirmed in a statement that there was an explosion at the mill and that multiple people were affected as a result.

"The incident has been declared a mass casualty event, which, according to the World Health Organization, is characterized by a sudden surge in patients that overwhelms the capacity of local medical resources...Multiple fire, EMS, emergency management, and law enforcement agencies from surrounding counties and municipalities, as well as state agencies, are on scene alongside Waldo County emergency personnel. Given the scale of the ongoing response, the Waldo County 911 Communications Center is managing an extremely high volume of emergency calls. "

They are also asking folks to stay away from the area, so first responder can come and go from the scene.

Cade Nickels was on the Appleton Ridge, just miles from the mill, when the explosion happened.

"So about fifteen minutes ago, there was another small explosion. It was audible, and then the smoke plume got blacker. And about two minutes after that, the flames started being seen from where we were on the ridge."

He left the ridge shortly after to make room for first responders who were staging nearby.

Representative Regan Paul, State Representative from House District 37, says so far, she's heard of at least a handful of folks on the ground have been injured, but says that number could climb.

"Please be in prayer for the Robbins family, the employees, the first responders and all those involved with the fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. 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."

Catherine Robbins-Halstead, VP of Admin at the Robbins Lumber Mill, spoke briefly with the press and said all of the employees have been accounted for, but could not comment on any injuries or casualties.

The rural position of the mill and landscape, where there's only one main road going in and out of the mill, has provided logistical challenges for firefighters trying to fight the fire.

Officials from Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center have confirmed that they have received one patient from the scene who is currently in critical condition.

News Center Maine says Maine Medical Center also confirmed that they are preparing to receive at least 10 individuals who were injured in the explosion at the sawmill.

The Thorndike Fire Department shared an update on their Facebook Page earlier that both firefighters and civilians are involved.

"Thorndike Fire Department units are currently operating at a commercial building fire in Searsmont at Robbins Lumber. Multiple firefighters and civilians have sustained injuries during this incident. Multiple maydays have been called, multiple Fire trucks have been lost to fire and units from across the state are either responding or already on scene assisting with operations."

Authorities have classified this as a "mass casualty" incident, which, simply put, according to the World Health Organization, means this type of situation could be too big for local medical resources to handle and will likely require help from surrounding areas.

"Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are characterized by a sudden surge in patients that overwhelms the capacity of local medical resources, often resulting in preventable mortality and morbidity. Whether caused by natural disasters, violence, or road traffic crashes, MCIs pose significant challenges to clinical service delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings.

EMTs and ambulances from across the area are being called in to help, including Lifeflight of Maine helicopters and emergency transport helicopters from nearby states.

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WABI is reporting that there is a gas leak at the scene, and police are not letting anyone near the area.

Governor Janet Mills issued a statement this afternoon regarding the incident.

"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."

Maine Public Safety Director Mike Sauschuck said at the media conference that Governor Mills was on her way to the scene.

So what can you do to help at this point? Donate blood. Do it now, if you can.

According to the American Red Cross, burn victims need blood, specifically plasma, to help them in these critical situations.

"Plasma is commonly given to trauma, burn, and shock patients, as well as people with severe liver disease or multiple clotting factor deficiencies. It helps boost the patient’s blood volume, which can prevent shock, and helps with blood clotting. Pharmaceutical companies use plasma to make treatments for conditions such as immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders."

The Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal is investigating.

We will have more on this story as it develops. We're told there will be an official statement made by the Maine Department of Public Safety later this afternoon.