Maine State Fire Marshal

05/30/2026

Arrest Made in Cornish Fire Investigation

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, 18-year-old Pather Joyce of Cornish was arrested on a warrant charging him with one count of Arson and one count of Failing to Control/Report a Dangerous Fire in connection with a fire that occurred at 32 Old Pike Road in Cornish on the night of May 25, 2026. The three individuals shown in the video released yesterday have been identified. Investigators have contacted all three and determined they are NOT suspects in the fire. The investigation revealed that Joyce acted alone. He is currently being held at the York County Jail on $50,000 cash bail. The investigation remains ongoing.

05/29/2026

Update: The individuals have been identified by members of the public and are not considered suspects. Thank you so much for sharing.

FMO Investigating Suspicious Fire in Cornish

On May 25, 2026, at approximately 10:47 pm, the Cornish Fire Department responded to 32 Old Pike Road in Cornish for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews determined that the two-story residence had been occupied by a single individual at the time of the fire. It was determined this occupant lived in the front half of the structure. The occupant was able to safely escape without injury. The rear portion of the residence which was unfinished sustained significant fire damage. Investigators with the Office of State Fire Marshal responded to the scene that evening and determined the fire to be suspicious in nature. Since the incident, investigators have conducted an examination of the fire scene, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed surveillance video as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Office of State Fire Marshal is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three male individuals captured in the attached video. Investigators would like to speak with these individuals regarding the fire in Cornish. Anyone who recognizes these individuals or has information regarding their identities is encouraged to contact the Office of State Fire Marshal by one of the following methods:

• Arson Tipline at 1-888-870-6162
• [email protected]
• Augusta Communications Center at 207-624-7076 (ask for an FMO investigator).

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. At this time no arrests have been made. Additional information will be released when appropriate to do so.

05/27/2026

FMO Determines Cause of Wilton Fire

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, at approximately 6:57 pm, the Wilton Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 430 Main Street in Wilton. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on the rear right side of the three-story wood-frame building. The structure housed Chaos Coffee Café on the first floor, with a rental unit and an apartment located on the second and third floors. The fire caused extensive damage to the rear portion of the café and food preparation area. Smoke, heat, overhaul, and water damage extended throughout the building, rendering the structure uninhabitable. A female tenant sustained smoke inhalation and was transported from the scene by Maine Health Ambulance to Maine Health Franklin Hospital in Farmington, where she was treated and released. The Farmington, Jay, East Dixfield, and Chesterville Fire Departments provided mutual aid assistance to the Wilton Fire Department. No firefighter injuries were reported during suppression operations. Fire Marshal Investigators determined the origin of the fire to be in the first-floor food preparation area at a coffee roaster. The fire has been classified as accidental in nature.

05/26/2026

FMO Releases Preliminary Findings in Robbins Lumber Fire and Explosion Investigation

FMO Investigators and ATF Special Agents worked throughout the Memorial Day weekend at the scene of the Robbins Lumber fire and explosion in Searsmont. During that time, personnel paused to honor Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and remember military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

The Office of State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives National Response Team began demobilization operations on Monday following completion of the initial scene examination. While the on-scene phase of the investigation concluded, the investigation itself remains active and ongoing. Over the weekend, crane operations were completed to lift and move the silo structure, allowing investigators access to areas critical to the scene examination and the evidence recovery effort.

Based on the information obtained to date, the cause of the fire is considered accidental. Investigators believe the fire originated in the area of the unloader mechanism at the base of the silo. Before fire suppression operations could fully contain the smoldering fire, a rapid ignition of suspended particulate material resulted in an explosion within the silo. Investigators determined during the explosion that the silo lifted from its concrete base, releasing large amounts of sawdust and additional particulate material. The silo then toppled over, at which point the surrounding area became rapidly engulfed in fire. The fire rapidly spread to adjacent buildings and structures within the mill complex, contributing to the extensive damage to multiple buildings.

In the coming months, investigators will return to the facility 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. Investigators also determined the facility’s fire suppression system, which was located near the top of the silo, did not activate because temperatures at that elevation did not reach the activation threshold after the fire originated at the base of the silo.

The investigation is expected to remain open while follow-up analysis, testing, reports, and coordination continue. Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests related to the investigation will be directed to the ATF. The Office of State Fire Marshal will be coordinating with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding firefighter safety and has initiated the line-of-duty death review processes.

Additionally, investigators learned through interviews that John Ward, initially identified as a mill employee, responded as a member of the Lincolnville Fire Department, and was not affiliated with the mill.

Our thoughts remain with Firefighter Cross’s family, fellow firefighters, and the injured individuals continuing their recovery.

05/23/2026

On Friday, May 22, 2026, just after 6:00 p.m., the Mariaville Fire Department responded to 266 Peninsula Drive in Mariaville for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the structure fully involved, with the fire spreading into the surrounding wooded area. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to investigate the cause of the fire. No occupants were home at the time of the incident.

Through the review of camera footage, investigators determined the fire originated in the attached garage area and believe it may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery. The fire has been officially classified as accidental.

No injuries were reported. Two cats remain missing at this time.

05/23/2026

On Friday, May 22, 2026, just after noon, the Madison Fire Department responded to 276 Main Street in Madison for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire in the attached garage, extending into the walls and eaves of the structure. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office for an investigation.

Investigators determined that the fire originated in the wall area of the garage. The residence is a rental property, and the tenants have been displaced as a result of the fire. It was also determined that the tenants did not have renters’ insurance.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation pending confirmation of whether electrical service was present in the garage. At this time, the circumstances of this incident is not considered suspicious.

05/21/2026

Robbins Lumber Fire Investigation Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Searsmont - Fire investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives continue their investigation at the scene of the Robbins Lumber fire and explosion in Searsmont.

Today’s work focused on interviews, scene excavation, and evidence recovery. Investigators also continued examining the facility’s fire suppression systems and related infrastructure as part of the ongoing origin and cause investigation.

Investigators have now sifted through hundreds of cubic yards of sawdust and debris by hand and with heavy equipment in an extremely labor-intensive operation. Crews continue to carefully excavate material within the silo areas to preserve and document potential evidence. One crane arrived on scene today, and a second crane required for planned lifting operations involving the silo structure is expected to arrive on Friday. Crews also spent the day conducting preparatory work and evaluating site safety ahead of the lifting operation.

This evening, investigative personnel will attend a memorial honoring Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross. We continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, fellow firefighters, and all those affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those still hospitalized.

Additional updates will be released as appropriate.

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026

Robbins Lumber Fire Investigation Update

Searsmont - Investigators from the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF) continued their investigation at the scene of the Robbins Lumber fire and explosion.

Operational activities focused heavily on scene documentation, evidence preservation, aerial mapping, and ongoing witness interviews. Investigators have now conducted more than 50 interviews, with many more to be completed as the investigation progresses. Multiple interviews conducted during the last operational period continue to help investigators better understand the sequence of events surrounding the fire and subsequent explosion.

Investigators also examined similar mill infrastructure and electrical systems to understand the facility layout and operational processes better.

High winds throughout the day created difficult working conditions on scene, resulting in flying debris and periodic interruptions to investigative operations. Drone operations and aerial photography were particularly challenging due to the wind, causing delays in some scene documentation. During the operational period, one ATF investigator sustained a minor injury related to the difficult site conditions. The injury was not serious, and operations continued safely with appropriate precautions in place.

Investigators continue to work closely with Robbins Lumber's administration to support the ongoing investigation and, where appropriate, safely restore portions of the facility. Robbins Lumber has fully cooperated with investigators throughout the process. At this time, portions of the mill can continue operating safely without interfering with investigative operations.

Searsmont, Belmont, and Appleton Fire Departments sustained damage to their fire apparatus during the incident, affecting frontline emergency response capabilities. Mutual aid partners continue to help maintain emergency coverage for the affected communities.

We also continue to monitor and remain mindful of those injured in the incident, including:

Searsmont Fire
Chief James Ames – Released
Assistant Chief Wayne Woodbury – MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Searsmont EMS
EMS Chief Sarah Tompkins – MaineHealth Maine Medical Center
Liliane Robbins- Massachusetts General Hospital

Belmont Fire
Katherine Paige- MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Montville Fire
Jacob Spaulding- MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Lincolnville Fire
Aaron Heald- Released
John Ward - Released

Appleton Fire
Chief Clifton Marriner - Released

Mill Employees
Alden Robbins – Massachusetts General Hospital
James Robbins – Massachusetts General Hospital
Thomas Wolf – MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Our thoughts remain with the family of Firefighter Andrew Cross, the injured, their families, coworkers, and the communities affected by this incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

An in-person media briefing on the Robbins Lumber investigation will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Searsmont Town Office. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck, representatives from the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF) will provide an operational update on the investigation.

05/18/2026

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