Partner injured in explosion at Maine lumber mill has died

According to a statement from Maine authorities and his family, the business partner who was injured in a massive explosion at a lumber mill in the Midcoast Maine region passed away about two months after the event. Alden J. Robbins, a partner at Robbins Lumber, where the catastrophic explosion occurred that injured him, and one of the decades-long leaders of Maine's lumber industry, died on Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital. Maine Governor Janet Mills conveyed her condolences, describing Robbins as a guardian who served one of the state's most established businesses with dedication, and emphasized that the family needs to be supported during this difficult time.

The incident on May 15 at Robbins Lumber, a fifth-generation family business located in Searsmont, has been a source of great sorrow for the local community. Following the explosion, flames engulfed the factory, and with Robbins's death, the number of lives lost in this fire has risen to three. At the time of the incident and during efforts to control the fire, many employees and first responders were injured, and Robbins's brother, the company president James A. Robbins, and his daughter Lily were also among the injured.

In a statement released through the Maine Department of Public Safety, the Robbins family shared that Alden Robbins passed away peacefully at the end of his process. The family stated that Alden meant everything to his family and showed extraordinary courage and determination to make time for his family during this difficult fight, expressing that he closed his eyes to life in a calm manner, surrounded by his loved ones. The family offered their thanks to the medical teams in Maine and the team at Massachusetts General Hospital, adding that the interest shown by employees and neighbors gave them strength.

Preliminary investigations into the incident have revealed that the fire causing the explosion and fire started accidentally and began at the base of the exploding silo. The force of the explosion was so severe that the silo broke away from the reinforced concrete floor and toppled over, rendering a large part of the factory unusable. The investigation into the exact cause of the incident is still ongoing, with authorities noting that they are awaiting the results and that the process is being conducted meticulously.

In a statement on Friday, the Maine Department of Public Safety expressed condolences to Alden Robbins's family, stating that their thoughts are with the Robbins Lumber family and everyone affected by this tragedy. Authorities announced to the public that the family's privacy should be respected during these difficult times and continued their work and messages of support. This event has gone down as a turning point met with deep sorrow for the forest products community and the lumber industry in the region.