Searsmont assistant fire chief dies from injuries following sawmill explosion

Searsmont lost a dedicated public servant Sunday as Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury succumbed to injuries sustained during a massive explosion at Robbins Lumber last month.

Woodbury, 76, died while hospitalized at Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to the Office of State Fire Marshal. His death marks the second fatality connected to the May 15 fire and explosion at the sawmill.

"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 office stated Sunday. "The investigation into the Robbins Lumber fire remains ongoing."

The longtime assistant chief was among several local firefighters and emergency responders who rushed to the scene when the fire erupted. The incident claimed one life immediately and injured approximately a dozen others.

Investigators have since ruled the cause accidental, determining the blaze originated near the base of a silo before the explosion occurred. Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, was the first responder killed in the line of duty that day.

"This loss is felt throughout the entire fire service community," Thorndike Fire Department said in a statement. "The courage, dedication, and selfless service displayed by Assistant Chief Woodbury will never be forgotten. His commitment to protecting others exemplified the very best of the fire service."

Woodbury's remains were scheduled to be transported to the state Medical Examiner's office in Augusta on Sunday, with a dignified transfer to Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast planned for Monday. Liberty Fire and Rescue called on all available agencies to line Waldo Avenue during the procession, mirroring the tribute paid to Cross following his death in May.

Eight people injured in the explosion, including Woodbury, remained hospitalized in the days following the disaster.