Searsmont Explosion Investigation
Searsmont Explosion Fact Sheet and Bigos Law Investigation Introduction (May 2026)
On the morning of May 15th, 2026, in Searsmont, Maine, emergency crews responded to a reported fire at the Robbins Lumber Mill. While they were fighting the fire, it spread to one of the mill’s silos. An apparent backdraft from the original fire suspended saw dust and shavings. The silo then exploded. The blast resulted in a firefighter’s death and severe and catastrophic injuries for 12 others. Patients were transported to burn units at Maine Medical Center, Mass General, and locally.
“It was literally hell: smoke, fire, burning trucks, burning people,” Appleton Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Kevin Callahan said. “I just turned and ran right back into it and saw things that no people should see.”
Fire Science of Dust Explosions
In facilities such as lumber mills and farms, processing of wood into silos can result in the accumulation of “combustible dusts.” While a pile of wood shavings or flour on a table will only burn slowly, turning those same materials into a fine powder and suspending them in air drastically increases their surface area. When this dust is suspended in the air, the particles mix with oxygen. With only a spark, these particles can ignite almost simultaneously, resulting in a rapid, explosive release of energy and gas.
Following the Searsmont explosion, Bigos Law has consulted four of the nation’s leading experts in fire prevention engineering, explosions and dust explosions to assist with our investigation. Attorney Bigos worked with one of these experts during 2020 – 2023 in what is believed to be the largest personal injury settlement collected for an individual in Maine history at the time and to this day, a multi-eight figure settlement. The May 2026 Searsmont Explosion appears to have hallmarks of a dust explosion, however, the investigation is ongoing and subject to change, including other possibilities including it not being a dust explosion.
Public agency investigation
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office have dispatched fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire and explosion. Investigative activities have included scene documentation, evidence preservation, aerial mapping, and over 150 witness interviews. Investigators are also examining similar mill infrastructure and electrical systems to better understand the facility and its operations. The investigation is ongoing.
Bigos Law plans to make FOIA requests for public agency investigation materials in June 2026, and requests to participate in evidence inspection and preservation, possibly with expert witnesses and forensic photographers. Usually, agencies do not allow private firms and investigators to participate in such activities for months, and usually do not produce FOIA responsive materials for months or even after a year. However, such agencies will acknowledge receipt of the requests and keep lines of communication open, and keep such requests pending and follow up on them when they are able. These delays inform how Bigos Law continues its own investigation so as to not entirely be waiting on public authorities. Bigos Law intends to cooperate with public investigative agencies, including information-sharing whenever possible and int he best interest of its clients.
Impact on community
“We are family. We are brotherhood, sisterhood,” Callahan said. “Those of us who are still fighting are in our hearts.”
The impact of this incident has included the death of one young firefighter, 27-year old Andrew Cross, and the injuries of a dozen others. There is concern within the community as to how those impacted will move forward, especially with their ability to work affected and the costs of medical care piling up:
“These guys all have full-time jobs, and now, they’re out of work. The families are affected by this bad. They pay mortgages. They have kids, groceries, high gas prices. These families are going to struggle.” -Henry Spaulding, former firefighter and father of injured firefighter Jacob Spaulding.
Burn injuries can require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and ongoing rehabilitation. And after a fire or explosion, clients are dealing with more than just immediate physical injuries: survivors may face permanent scarring, limited mobility, significant psychological impact, and
financial strain.
Bigos Law approaches cases like these with a very clear purpose: to help our clients get the most medically healthy outcome, get medical bills paid by those who should pay or reimburse, and get as much compensation as soon as possible to the client.
For Maine residents, having access to a law firm experienced in explosion cases, severe burn injuries, and catastrophic injury cases is essential. Bigos Law brings the highest level of both local accessibility and the ability and resources to take on the most challenging cases against well-resourced defendants. Mike Bigos’s family (Grady and Glendenning) is from the area going back 6 generations.
Bigos Law wishes everyone involved in the communities peace, healing, support for getting back to work and normalcy as much as possible.
“This community is just amazing. I cannot say that enough. It’s a beautiful thing to be from Maine.” -Sarah Joliat