Federal agents joined state investigators Sunday to help determine what caused the deadly fire and explosion Friday at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team will conduct a joint investigation with state fire marshal investigators, who requested the ATF’s assistance.
The ATF team includes forensic scientists, electrical engineers and computer modeling experts. According to the fire marshal’s office, ATF is the only federal agency tasked with fire investigation.
Investigators expect to remain at the scene of the fire throughout the week. No in-person media interviews will be conducted while the investigation is active, according to spokesperson Aaron Turcotte.
“We recognize the importance of this investigation to the victims, their families, the employees of Robbins Lumber, the local community, and the many agencies involved in the response. We owe the people of Maine a thorough, professional, and methodical investigation,” the fire marshal’s office said in a statement.
Eight of the people injured in Friday’s explosion are being cared for at Maine Medical Center in Portland, while two were treated and transferred to Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston.