Searsmont fire official dies weeks after Maine lumber mill fire, explosion

Another person injured in the lumber mill fire and explosion in Searsmont, Maine, last month has died, officials said Sunday.

Wayne Woodbury, 76, died Sunday morning at Maine Medical Center, the Office of State Fire Marshal announced. He’d been part of the response to a May 15 fire at Robbins Lumber that led to a silo explosion. Another firefighter died, and a dozen people were hospitalized.

Woodbury was the town’s assistant fire chief. Chief James Ames was injured and later released.

“The Office of State Fire Marshal extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the members of the Searsmont Fire Department during this difficult time,” the fire marshal’s office said in a statement.

Investigators have determined that the fire was accidental, but the investigation is ongoing.

Maine State Fire Marshal

Maine State Fire Marshal

The fire and explosion caused a massive blaze that brought in firefighters from around the region. The firefighter who previously died was identified as 27-year-old Andrew Cross, of the Morrill Fire Department.

Mass General Hospital in Boston is treating two other patients from the mill. They were both listed as critical as of Saturday afternoon.