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State cites fire departments that responded to deadly Searsmont lumber mill explosion

State cites fire departments that responded to deadly Searsmont lumber mill explosion

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio, Associated Press


Six fire departments have been cited in connection with the fire and explosion at the Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont that left three people dead and 10 others injured in May.

The Maine Department of Labor said Tuesday that the six local departments that responded didn’t have an effective system for tracking the locations of firefighters at the scene.

Five departments also face citations related to personal protective equipment.

The state says the fire departments have been working to rectify issues uncovered from their investigation.

The Bureau of Labor Standards suspended nearly $108,000 in civil penalties after the towns involved made efforts to fix violations and improve safety.

Shortly after the fire, investigators said using water to battle the flames in an oxygen-limiting silo likely created a combustible mixture, causing the silo to explode and launch into the air.

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