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Explosion at Lumber Mill in Searsmont, Maine, Draws Large Emergency Response

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Explosion at Lumber Mill in Searsmont, Maine, Draws Large Emergency Response

An explosion and fire drew a large emergency response on Friday to a lumber mill in the Midcoast region of Maine, officials said.

The State Police and fire marshal’s investigators responded to Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, about 72 miles northeast of Portland, said Shannon Moss, a spokeswoman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Mike Larrivee, the director of the Waldo County Regional Communications Center, said the number of victims was unknown, cautioning that “the information we’re getting from the scene is very vague.”

“We’ve sent every resource in the county to that area, plus surrounding counties,” he said.

Footage from the scene shared by WABI-TV showed flames burning through the roof of a large structure as heavy, dark smoke billowed skyward.

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The Associated Press reported that at least five people were injured, and that county officials were considering the incident a “mass casualty event.”

Catherine Robbins-Halsted, an owner and vice president at Robbins Lumber, told reporters at the scene that all of the company’s employees had been accounted for.

Gov. Janet T. Mills of Maine said on social media that she had been briefed on the situation and urged people to avoid the area.

“I ask Maine people to join me in keeping all those affected in their thoughts,” she said.

Representative Jared Golden, Democrat of Maine, said on social media that he was aware of the fire and explosion.

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“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.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Police search for suspects in Ohio shooting that wounded 12 near a street festival

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Police search for suspects in Ohio shooting that wounded 12 near a street festival

The Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum is shown where multiple people were shot at a community festival Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Toledo, Ohio.

Paul Sancya/AP


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Paul Sancya/AP

Police still had no suspects in custody Sunday after a weekend shooting near an Ohio street festival wounded 12 people and sent attendees scrambling for cover in a busy Toledo neighborhood.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons on Saturday near the Old West End Festival and were “probably shooting at each other.”

Authorities say a search for the the shooters was ongoing and had not identified any potential suspects. They urged festivalgoers to come forward with any photos or videos.

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“As far as violence, this is over the top, right?” Toledo police Lt. Dan Gerken said. “Twelve people being shot, that’s the most I’ve been to a scene. I’ve been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the top.”

Hundreds of people were at the festival, an annual two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping.

The remainder of the festival was canceled Sunday. Organizers said “it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue.”

“We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival,” the festival said in a statement.

Two of the victims were in critical condition on Saturday, Heffernan said. The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s.

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Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.

Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.

Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.

“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.

When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away from him. Officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately.

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Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.

“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.

George Kral, the city’s safety director, said the Old West End Festival is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo.

“And it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,” Kral said.

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Multiple people shot near street festival in Toledo, Ohio, authorities say

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Multiple people shot near street festival in Toledo, Ohio, authorities say

A shooting near a community festival in Toledo, Ohio, wounded at least 12 people on Saturday, with police saying a search for the suspects was ongoing.

Two of the wounded were in a critical condition, Toledo deputy police chief Joe Heffernan said. He said it appeared there were at least two people firing weapons who were “probably shooting at each other”.

The Toledo police department said the shooting happened near the Old West End festival, an annual gathering of live music and home tours in a historic district of the city.

Police investigate where multiple people were shot at a community festival in Toledo, Ohio. Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP

The department said an active search was under way for those responsible.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio governor Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”

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Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running over the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.

Kevin Berry said he was sitting in the neighbourhood arboretum listening to live music with his friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.

“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.

Police officers block off a road near where multiple people were shot at a community festival. Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP

When he looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground. Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene.

Berry, who has medical training and served in the US Navy, said he walked around the area looking for potential victims who might need help.

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He said he saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting near a festival in Toledo, Ohio. Photograph: WTVG/AP

“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.

The Old West End festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping.

“This tragedy is really weighing heavily on both the residents and those who visit and enjoy this festival year after year,” said city council member Theresa Morris.

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Video: Protester Hit by Car at Newark ICE Detention Center

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Video: Protester Hit by Car at Newark ICE Detention Center

new video loaded: Protester Hit by Car at Newark ICE Detention Center

A vehicle hit a protester on Friday as it was leaving Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in Newark that has been the site of protests since late May.

By Cynthia Silva

June 6, 2026

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