Searsmont welcomes home Robbins family member months after deadly lumber mill explosion

Lily Robbins Returns to Searsmont After 5‑Month Hospital Stay, Community Celebrates

Searsmont, Maine — On Friday, the Searsmont Fire Station became a gathering place of relief and gratitude as Lily Robbins, 23, returned home after more than five months of treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. The young paramedic, whose life was dramatically altered in a May 15 explosion at her family’s Robbins Lumber mill, was greeted by a parade of ambulances and first‑responder vehicles, homemade cookies, “Welcome Home” signs and tear‑filled applause from neighbors, friends and extended family.

Robbins, who sustained severe burns on her face and hands and a bandaged hand from her left wrist, stepped into the station with a smile that belied the physical pain. “Thank you all so much,” she said, shaking hands and sharing a hug with three college friends who are also paramedics — Taylor Church, Blake Tripp and Lila Bell. “I’ve read every single word of every single card I got, and it made me smile.”

The event was organized by Amy Drinkwater, interim chief of Searsmont EMS, who recalled how the day felt like a “big hug.” “I told her it was too soon!” she laughed, reflecting on the day when Lily, after five and a half months in the hospital, asked to drive the ambulance that was to bring her home. “She’s been eager to get back and to do medical work again,” Drinkwater added.

From the Searsmont Fire Station to the Front Lines

The explosion that changed the town’s trajectory began when a silo filled with wood shavings at Robbins Lumber ignited and blew up about an hour after the fire was first seen. The blast, which sent a metal drum of wood shavings rocketing off the ground, claimed the lives of three people — Lily’s father, Alden Robbins, volunteer firefighter Andrew Cross of Morrill, and Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, who died in June from injuries sustained in the incident. Dozens of volunteers and EMS personnel, many of whom had responded that day, were injured, including Searsmont volunteer Thomas Wolf and friend Thomas Parker. Wolf, whose head injury left visible scarring, said, “Hospitals are great, but there’s nothing more satisfying than being at home. I can’t wait for Lily to get home and be in that environment.”

The procession that carried Robbins back to the station was a testament to community solidarity. Seven ambulances from the Searsmont station, joined by vehicles from dozens of other agencies, rolled down Main Street as trucks rang bells and honked horns. A crowd of locals, children, and relatives lined the streets, waving signs such as “Welcome Home Lily” and “Searsmont Strong.” Among the supporters were Deb Pickering of Belfast, who wore a Searsmont Strong T‑shirt, and Amy Robbins, Lily’s mother. Great Aunt Suzanne Philbrook, who was also present, said with tears in her eyes, “We have prayed so hard for her. We’re so grateful God spared her life.”

A Town Heals

Searsmont’s ties to Robbins Lumber, a business founded in 1881, run deep. The town’s selectman, Chris Staples, noted that the tragedy spurred an increase in volunteerism. “I think eight people have joined the fire and EMS, doubling the roster,” he said. Staples himself has decided to volunteer and plans to take his fire truck driving test on Sunday.

Clerk Angela Cilley, who posted about the reception on Facebook, called the gathering a “joyful moment after so much uncertainty and loss.” She added, “I think people want to see her face to make sure it’s real.” Lily’s response to the post was a simple, “I’m so grateful for this community.”

The reception also highlighted the broader economic impact of the explosion. Robbins Lumber continues to operate, with a fundraising effort underway that sells stickers, hats, and shirts featuring the company’s logo alongside fire department and EMS insignia. The mill’s closure forced many local businesses to rally for relief, and the town is now raising funds to support the victims and their families.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigations into the cause of the explosion are still underway. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is expected to release its findings by mid‑November. In August, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) had called for better labeling and identification of hazards at silos, as well as enhanced training for responders to handle such incidents.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up by a Camden restaurant has already raised more than $81,000 to support Lily Robbins’ recovery. The page also includes messages from colleagues at the university where Robbins graduated just a week before the explosion.

Looking Forward

As Lily Robbins steps back into her familiar surroundings, she looks forward to resuming her career in medical work. “I’ve been eager to get back,” she said, “and I want to help people the way others have helped me.” The community’s collective support and the resilience of its volunteers have turned a day of mourning into a celebration of life and healing.

The Searsmont Fire Station’s open doors and the community’s heartfelt welcome remind us that, even in the aftermath of tragedy, a town can find strength in coming together.