Fire Tragedy Strikes Robbins Lumber In Maine
On May 15, a fire and explosion in the silo area had turned Robbins Lumber in Searsmont into a scene of tragedy. It killed one 27-year-old fireman, injured eight firefighters and first responders, sent co-owners Alden and Jim Robbins to the burn center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and also sent Alden’s daughter, Lily Robbins, to the burn center, as she was there as an EMS volunteer, and also injured two other Robbins employees.
Robbins Lumber released a statement, which included the status of the Robbins family members: “They have a long road to recovery ahead, but they are in the very best hands, and we look forward to their return.”
The statement expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of the fireman, and their appreciation for the immediate response from 299 firefighters and 46 fire departments.
Another report said Robbins Lumber would not lay off workers and intended to resume production soon, as photos appeared to show the main lumber production lines intact.
The fire incident was still under major investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as heavy machinery began clearing through the debris.
The editors of Timber Processing wish the best of health to the Robbins family members and all of the injured personnel, and we look forward to watching Robbins Lumber progress from the fifth generation to the sixth generation.
Latest News
B.C. Forest Industry Leaders Establish Safety Task Force
British Columbia’s wood products manufacturers have come together in an unprecedented collaboration to advance research and best practices in improving mill safety in response to the devastating explosions at Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills.…
Sawdust Samples Sent To U.S. To Help Determine Cause Of B.C. Mill Explosions
WorkSafeBC officials say they are still trying to determine the cause of fatal blast that leveled the Burns Lake sawmill in January, including what role sawdust may have had in the explosion that killed two…
Everett Pulp Mill To Be Demolished
Kimberly-Clark said Thursday it plans to demolish its closed pulp-and-paper mill on Everett’s waterfront and sell the 66-acre property. The company laid off 760 employees before shutting down the roughly 80-year-old plant earlier this month.…
Sawdust Ordered Removed From B.C. Mills
In an unprecedented, precautionary crackdown, safety officials are ordering every sawmill in British Columbia to remove all accumulated sawdust from their premises, a factor cited as a possible trigger of two catastrophic mill explosions in…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.