Volunteer Firefighter Dies in Maine Silo Explosion

Andrew Ryan Cross, a 27-year-old volunteer firefighter from Morrill, Maine, died while responding to a fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. m. on Friday morning. Crews heard a loud explosion while working to extinguish the fire in a silo. Cross was found dead at the scene. The Maine State Fire Marshall’s Office said multiple fire departments responded to the Waldo County location.

Cross played soccer and baseball at Belfast Area High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. He earned an associate’s degree in Mechanical Technology and a certificate in Heavy Equipment Operation. Outside his volunteer firefighting duties, Cross worked as an outside machinist, owned a business providing plowing and mowing services, and plowed roads for the town of Morrill.

His obituary described his love of family, community, the outdoors, and land that had been in his family for generations.

According to the Maine branch of the Volunteer Firefighters Association, there are around 433 fire departments led by 338 volunteer fire chiefs. More than 90 percent of Maine’s fire departments are staffed mostly or entirely by volunteers. The National Fire Protection Association reported that the nation’s volunteer fire service has lost 25 percent of its overall members since 2008, while call volume has increased.

In 2024, 32 volunteer firefighters died while on duty. U.S. population, live in neighborhoods primarily served by volunteer firefighters.