Fire at Robbins Lumber mill in Maine kills firefighter, injures 11

An explosion and fire at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine, on Friday left one firefighter dead and at least 11 people injured, according to state fire officials. The blast occurred shortly after 10 a.m. as crews were responding to a fire reported at a silo, and it triggered a large-scale emergency response involving multiple fire departments and state and federal agencies. Officials said the fire was contained by late afternoon, though it was not fully extinguished.

The Maine State Fire Marshals Office said a firefighter died at the scene and that several others were in serious or critical condition. Hospital officials in Portland and Bangor said they expected to receive multiple patients, and state officials continued assessing injuries throughout the day. Officials did not provide a list of all victims, and the identity of the firefighter who died was not immediately released pending confirmation by the medical examiner’s office.

Investigators were also working to determine what caused the initial fire and how it led to the explosion. The Fire Marshals Office said the cause remained under investigation Friday evening and that officials expected the inquiry would...