Aaron Heald, a 20-year-old volunteer firefighter from Lincolnville, returned home after being injured in Friday’s fatal fire and explosion at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont.
“Welcome home, brother. It’s good to see you,” the Lincolnville Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook alongside photos of Heald holding up his two bandaged hands in front of a banner displayed on a firetruck reading, “Welcome Home Aaron.”
Lincolnville’s department was one of more than a dozen mostly volunteer fire companies from surrounding towns to respond to the conflagration, which killed Morrill volunteer firefighter Andrew Cross and sent several others to the hospital.
Heald’s grandfather, Donnie Heald, had earlier posted a photo of the young firefighter smiling from his hospital bed and giving two bandaged thumbs-up. The younger Heald declined an interview request through his grandfather.
A state and federal investigation is underway into the origin of the fire, though officials cautioned they may not have more information for several days.
At least 10 people injured in the fire and subsequent explosion remained hospitalized as of Sunday evening, according to the latest information from state officials. The conditions of some were serious or critical.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
