BELFAST, Maine — Hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement officials and civilians lined Waldo Avenue in Belfast Saturday afternoon in a quiet reverence as the body of Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross arrived at the Riposta Funeral Home.
Cross was the only firefighter state authorities said was killed following an explosion at the Robbins Lumber facility in Searsmont Friday that severely wounded several others. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the fallen firefighter as Cross, who was 27, Saturday morning.
Cross was transported from the medical examiner’s office in Augusta to the Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast Saturday by a procession of law enforcement and other first responders. Just before 11 a.m., firefighters from dozens of departments and others who wanted to pay their respects started to line Waldo Avenue around the funeral home.
Just after 12:30 p.m., the hearse carrying Cross turned into the funeral home and was flanked by a line of firefighters who stood saluting.
The fire that claimed Cross’ life started Friday morning. When the Searsmont Fire Department responded to the mill at around 10:05 a.m., they found a fire in one of the silos of the lumber yard.
Four minutes later, more support from multiple local fire departments was requested. Then, just after 11 a.m., a firefighter came across the radio.
“There’s been a huge explosion, the silo just exploded,” the firefighter said. “Multiple firefighters injured and burning. We need more help here now, immediately.”
On Saturday morning, smoke was still rising from Robbins. State officials are still investigating what may have caused the fire and didn’t release updates on the other injured people Saturday afternoon.
