Funeral held for fallen Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury
By Russ Reed, Jacob Murphy
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BELFAST, Maine (WMTW) — A funeral service honoring fallen Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, who died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fire and explosion at a Maine lumber mill, was held Wednesday afternoon at Belfast Area High School.
The service included an honor guard, pipes and drums, and a sea of blue formed by all of the first responders who were in attendance.
Woodbury, 76, of Belmont, died the morning of June 14 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. He was among 12 people who were injured in the May 15 incident at Robbins Lumber, which killed Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross. Eight other first responders were injured in the incident, along with two co-owners of Robbins Lumber and an employee of the mill.
Click here to watch the entire funeral service on our YouTube channel.
An honorable transfer for Woodbury was held on June 15, as his body was transported from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to the Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Riposta Funeral Home’s website.
Gov. Janet Mills directed that United States and State of Maine flags be lowered statewide on Wednesday in honor of Woodbury.
“Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury gave his life to protect his community, and his sacrifice and example will never be forgotten,” Mills said in a statement. “On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend my deepest condolences to the Searsmont Fire Department, to his community, and to all impacted by this devastating loss.”
What we know about Wayne Woodbury An obituary shared by Riposta Funeral Home states that Woodbury was born in Camden, Maine, on March 8, 1950.
Woodbury entered the Bath Iron Works apprentice program after graduating from Belfast Area High School in 1968 and married his wife, Rosie, that same year. He was a member of the Bath Iron Works fire brigade and earned a number of certifications, including for high-angle rescue.
For more than 60 years, Woodbury served as a volunteer firefighter for the Belmont Fire Department and Searsmont Fire Department. Woodbury’s colleagues said he began volunteering as a firefighter at the age of 14.
“He was injured doing what he had done for decades, standing shoulder to shoulder with his fellow firefighters and protecting his community,” said Maine State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler. “There is honor in that service, and there is comfort knowing that he spent a lifetime making a difference.”
A firefighter who worked with Woodbury told Maine’s Total Coverage that Woodbury was kind, soft-spoken and a true leader who was able to keep people calm even in the most stressful situations. Woodbury also constantly took rookies under his wing, according to his fellow firefighter.
“Wayne, you had big boots to fill, size 17, but your heart was much bigger,” said Searsmont Firefighter Jodi Staples. “We are saddened for our loss of your passing, and you’ve enriched our lives through your friendship. You will be remembered and you are loved.”
“We are a better community because you were here. Rest easy, Wayne, we’ll take it from here,” said Searsmont Selectman Chris Staples, Jodi’s brother.
Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, 76, of Belmont, Maine, died on June 14, 2026, as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine, on May 15, 2026. The obituary states that Woodbury was an active outdoorsman who had an appreciation for wildlife and nature, and he was often found working in his orchards.
“He was a lifelong fisherman — open water and ice fishing. Wayne spent many hours in his workshop in the winter months creating gifts for his friends and for charity. In the mornings around 9 a.m. you could find him visiting at Ames Farm Equipment for morning coffee and sweets with his friend James,” the obituary states. “One of his favorite dishes was a classic boiled dinner. His other love was his two mischievous cats, whose names and stories became legendary at Maine Medical Center during his stay. Wayne was a gentle man and loved his friends, community and Maine.”
Woodbury was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Roberta, and his wife, Rosie, in 2018.
He is survived by his sister, Linda Woodbury, of Cleveland, Tennessee, and her children and grandchildren, as well as many friends.
“The family wished to express profound gratitude to the medical team at Maine Medical Center, who cared for Wayne not just with skill, but with a love and compassion that touched our hearts deeply. The gifts they carry as nurses and doctors and so generously share with their patients are a true blessing, and our family is forever grateful,” the obituary states.
What caused the explosion? On May 26, the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office shared the preliminary findings made by state investigators and investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as to what caused the fire and explosion.
Investigators believe the fire started in the area of the unloader mechanism at the base of a silo. Before the fire suppression operations could fully contain the smoldering fire, suspended particulate material rapidly ignited and caused an explosion within the silo.
According to investigators, the silo lifted from its concrete base during the explosion, releasing large amounts of sawdust and additional particulate material. The silo then toppled over, at which point the surrounding area became rapidly engulfed in flames.
The fire then spread rapidly to adjacent buildings and structures within the Robbins Lumber complex, contributing to the extensive damage to multiple buildings.
Investigators also determined the facility’s fire suppression system, which was located near the top of the silo, did not activate because the temperature at that elevation did not reach the activation threshold.
Officials said that based on the information obtained during the initial scene examination, the cause of the fire is considered to be accidental.
While the initial on-scene phase of the investigation is over, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said the investigation into the fire and explosion remains active and ongoing. Investigators will return to Robbins Lumber in the coming months to conduct a more detailed examination of the unloader systems, which may include additional testing in coordination with insurance representatives and additional technical experts to further identify a cause.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office also said the investigation is expected to remain open while follow-up analysis, testing, reports and coordination continue. The state agency also said it will be coordinating with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding firefighting safety, and that it has already initiated the line-of-duty death review processes.
More about Firefighter Cross Cross, 27, was found dead at the Robbins Lumber mill after the burning silo exploded the morning of May 15.
A graduate of Belfast Area High School, Cross was a member of the high school soccer team, baseball team and National Honor Society.
He went on to earn an associate of science degree in mechanical technology at Washington County Community College with certificates in heavy equipment operation and as an engine specialist.
Cross worked at Bath Iron Works as an outside machinist and would have celebrated his seventh anniversary with the company on Wednesday, May 20.
“We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to his community and to his country, and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” Bath Iron Works said in a statement previously shared with Maine’s Total Coverage.
Cross owned his own business, A.R. Cross Trucking, and did earthwork, plowing and mowing for people in surrounding communities. He also plowed roads for the town of Morrill in addition to being a member of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department.
According to his obituary, Cross loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman and snowmobiler.
“Andrew treasured his time at camp in Bingham and Madagascal Pond, riding the snowmobile trails in northern Maine, and visiting family in Vermont. He recently purchased a home where he loved having family and friends gather for a big meal and share laughter and lots of stories,” Cross’ family wrote in the obituary. “He was always ready to give a helping hand to others, and he had a smile that instantly endeared him to everyone he met.”
Cross is survived by his parents, Donald and Laurie Cross; his sisters, Whitney Cross and Lindsey Cross; and his grandmother, Beverly Young. He was also very close to his aunts and uncles, as well as his extended family of cousins, whom he considered to be “bonus brothers and sisters,” according to the obituary.
A public visitation was held May 21 at the Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast. A memorial service limited to family, friends and a select number of fire departments was held May 22 at Veracity Chapel in Morrill.
While covering Woodbury’s funeral, Maine’s Total Coverage learned that Woodbury was close friends with Donald Cross, Andrew’s father.
Injured first responders
Woodbury was one of seven firefighters who were injured in the fire and explosion. Two members of Searsmont Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were also injured in the Robbins Lumber incident.
Belmont Firefighter Katie Paige was transported to Maine Medical Center, where she was in a medically induced coma and was being treated for severe burns to her hands and face, according to her husband. Paige was named Belmont’s Firefighter of the Year in 2025 and is also a member of the Northport Fire Department. On June 6, Paige’s husband shared on Facebook that Katie was showing progress in her recovery.
Searsmont Fire Chief James Ames was injured and has since been released from the hospital.
Searsmont EMS Chief Sara Tompkins has been hospitalized at Maine Medical Center while Searsmont EMS volunteer Lily Robbins, the daughter of Robbins Lumber co-owner Alden Robbins, has been receiving treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital with her father and uncle, James A. Robbins.
Montville Firefighter Jacob Spaulding was hospitalized for a month at Maine Medical Center, but he walked out of the hospital Monday afternoon and is heading home. A GoFundMe page has been created to help Spaulding’s family with medical bills.
Lincolnville Firefighter Aaron Heald, 20, was taken to Maine Medical Center to receive treatment. Heald has been released from the hospital and the Lincolnville Fire Department welcomed him home on May 17.
Appleton Fire Chief Clifton Marriner and Lincolnville Firefighter John Ward were also among the injured and have since been released from hospital care.
Robbins Lumber owners, employee among the injured Two of Robbins Lumber’s co-owners, President James A. Robbins and Vice President of Sales Alden Robbins, who are brothers, have been hospitalized at the Massachusetts General Hospital Burn Center along with Alden’s daughter, Searsmont EMS volunteer Lily Robbins.
On Friday, a Massachusetts General Hospital spokesperson told WMTW media partner WABI that one family member’s condition improved from critical to serious, while two members of the Robbins family remain in critical condition. The spokesperson did not specify which member of the family saw an improvement in their condition.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said one Robbins Lumber employee, Thomas Wolf, was injured during the fire and explosion. Wolfe has been hospitalized at Maine Medical Center.
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