Andrew Cross Obituary, Death – Two Firefighters Die Following Deadly Robbins Lumber Mill Explosion in Maine
The firefighting community in Maine has continued to remember Andrew Cross, a 27-year-old volunteer firefighter who died following a devastating explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont on May 15, 2026.
Cross, a member of the Morrill Fire Department, was killed when a fire inside an industrial silo at the lumber mill triggered a powerful explosion. The incident also claimed the life of another firefighter, Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, who died weeks later from severe burn injuries.
A subsequent federal investigation by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), released on August 7, 2026, examined the circumstances surrounding the disaster and identified several factors that contributed to the explosion.
What happened at Robbins Lumber?
The incident began when a fire developed inside an oxygen-limiting silo containing wood shavings and sawdust. Emergency crews responded to the facility to tackle the blaze, but the situation escalated when the silo exploded.
According to the NIOSH investigation, firefighters were not aware that the structure presented a particular combustible-dust hazard. Investigators concluded that directing water into the sealed silo likely introduced air and disturbed combustible dust, creating conditions that contributed to the explosion.
The blast sent the silo into the air and scattered fire, debris and materials across the surrounding area.
Two firefighters and a third victim died
Andrew Cross died at the scene from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. Wayne Woodbury, an assistant fire chief, later succumbed to burn injuries after spending approximately four weeks in hospital.
Robbins Lumber co-owner Alden Robbins also died in July from injuries sustained in the explosion. His death brought the overall number of fatalities connected to the incident to three.
The explosion critically injured 13 emergency responders, including 11 volunteer firefighters and two emergency medical services providers. Other employees and members of the Robbins family were also affected.
What the investigation found
The NIOSH report highlighted several safety concerns, including insufficient awareness of the silo’s specific hazards, inadequate communication between mill personnel and responding firefighters, and weaknesses in incident command and personnel accountability.
Investigators recommended improved training on silo fires, appropriate firefighting tactics, stronger coordination between emergency responders and facility personnel, and better systems for tracking firefighters during operations.
The report was prepared to help prevent similar tragedies and improve firefighter safety.
Andrew Cross’s death and the loss of Wayne Woodbury remain significant tragedies for their families and the communities they served. The incident also led to wider discussions about industrial fire safety and the risks emergency crews can encounter when responding to unfamiliar structures.
Information notice: This article is provided for general informational purposes. The website respects the family’s wishes concerning obituary, memorial, funeral and visitation announcements. Information may be updated when additional reliable details become available.