Two fatal paper explosions in U.S. leave rising death toll and fire service mourning death of chief

Two separate industrial explosions at wood‑processing facilities in Washington State and Maine have left multiple workers dead and claimed the life of a senior fire officer, marking one of the deadliest weeks for North American mill operations in recent years.

In Longview, Washington, authorities confirmed that at least eight workers have now been found dead following last week’s catastrophic explosion at the NORPAC paper mill. Recovery teams believe three additional bodies remain in an area too unstable to enter, raising the likelihood that the final toll will reach 11 fatalities, according to local officials and fire‑service briefings.

Fire crews say no survivors are expected among the missing. The blast, which tore through a section of the mill on May 28, is now considered the worst industrial disaster in Washington’s modern history. Recovery operations continue under hazardous conditions as investigators work to determine the cause.

Maine Assistant Fire Chief Dies Weeks After Lumber Mill Explosion

In Searsmont, Maine, the community is mourning the death of their Assistant Fire Chief, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a May explosion at the Robbins Lumber mill. He had been hospitalized for several weeks before his death was confirmed on June 14.

The blast, which injured multiple workers and triggered a large fire, remains under investigation by state fire officials. Early findings indicate the explosion originated in the facility’s sawmill operations, though the exact ignition source has not yet been identified.

Local leaders and the Maine fire‑service community have praised Woodbury’s decades of service, noting that he was among the first responders who rushed into the mill during the initial emergency.

Industrial Safety Under Scrutiny

The two incidents have renewed concerns about safety conditions in North America’s wood‑products sector, where aging infrastructure, combustible dust, and high‑temperature equipment continue to pose significant risks. Federal and state investigators in both regions are expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks.

Cause: Still under investigation

No official cause has been determined, according to both The New York Times and Fire Engineering.

Investigators have not released any preliminary findings.

What is known:

• The explosion occurred in an industrial processing area of the mill.
• Structural instability has slowed access to the blast zone.
• Federal and state investigators are on scene, but no ignition source or mechanical failure has been identified publicly.

Dates of the Mill Explosions

1. Longview, Washington – NORPAC Paper Mill Explosion

• Date of explosion: May 28, 2026

Source: New York Times, May 28, 2026

(The article reports the rising death toll the same day as the explosion.)

Fire Engineering’s coverage on May 28 also confirms the incident occurred that week and that recovery operations were underway immediately.

2. Searsmont, Maine – Robbins Lumber Mill Explosion

Exact date: May 23, 2026 (confirmed by WMTW’s earlier reporting on the incident)

Source: WMTW ABC 8 (article on cause investigation)

Date of firefighter’s death: June 14, 2026

Source: WMTW ABC 8, June 14, 2026

Further Reading: 

https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting/no-survivors-expected-among-nine-missing-in-wa-mill-disaster-as-recovery-work-continues

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/longview-washington-paper-mill-death-toll…?

https://www.wmtw.com/article/searsmont-maine-firefighter-death-mill-explosion-w…