Fire and Explosion at Robbins Lumber Mill

May 16, 2026, 19:24
USSociety

Introduction

A fire and a big explosion happened at the Robbins Lumber mill in Maine. One firefighter died and 11 people were hurt.

Main Body

The fire started on Friday morning in a big tall bin. Then a big explosion happened. The fire spread quickly to other buildings. Twenty-four fire departments came to help. Andrew Cross was a 27-year-old firefighter. He died in the fire. Other people went to hospitals in Portland and Bangor because they were hurt. Robbins Lumber is a family business. It started in 1881. The mill is now closed. The owners are talking to the police to find out why the fire started.

Conclusion

The mill is closed. The state is still looking for the cause of the explosion.

Learning

🕒 The 'Past' Pattern

To tell a story, we change the action word (verb). Look at these changes from the text:

  • Start →\rightarrow Started
  • Happen →\rightarrow Happened

The Rule: To talk about yesterday or a long time ago, we usually add -ed to the end of the word.

🏗ī¸ Building Descriptions

We use adjectives (describing words) before the object.

  • Big tall bin
  • Family business

A2 Tip: Keep it simple. [Size/Type] →\rightarrow [Thing].

Vocabulary Learning

explosion
a sudden violent burst of noise and heat
Example:The explosion shook the building.
fire (n.)
a blaze or flames
Example:The fire burned the old building.
firefighter
a person who fights fires
Example:The firefighter rescued people from the burning house.
explosion (n.)
a sudden burst of noise and light
Example:The explosion shook the whole town.
department
a division of a large organization
Example:The fire department arrived quickly.
mill (n.)
a building where wood is processed
Example:The mill was closed last year.
business
a commercial activity or enterprise
Example:The family business has been running for 100 years.
department (n.)
a group that does a specific job
Example:The fire department responded quickly.
family
a group of related people
Example:The family owns the lumber mill.
hospital (n.)
a place where sick people are treated
Example:He was taken to the hospital.
police
the organization that keeps law and order
Example:The police investigated the fire.
hurt (v.)
to cause pain or injury
Example:The workers were hurt in the accident.
cause
the reason for something
Example:The cause of the fire was unclear.
police (n.)
officers who enforce laws
Example:The police investigated the fire.
closed
not open
Example:The store was closed on Sunday.
cause (n.)
the reason for something
Example:The cause of the explosion is still unknown.
looking
searching or searching for something
Example:He was looking for his lost keys.
closed (adj.)
not open or operating
Example:The shop is closed on Sundays.
hospital
a place where people receive medical care
Example:The hospital treated the injured.
business (n.)
a company that sells goods or services
Example:She started a small business.
family (n.)
a group of related people
Example:The family owns the lumber mill.
people (n.)
human beings
Example:Many people were injured.
state (n.)
a region with its own government
Example:The state is looking for the cause.
big (adj.)
large in size
Example:It was a big explosion.
tall (adj.)
high above the ground
Example:The bin was tall.
bin (n.)
a container for holding things
Example:The bin held the wood.
spread (v.)
to extend over a larger area
Example:The fire spread quickly.
quickly (adv.)
fast or rapidly
Example:The fire spread quickly.
other (adj.)
different from the one mentioned
Example:The fire spread to other buildings.
buildings (n.)
structures for people or goods
Example:The fire destroyed many buildings.
firefighter (n.)
a person who fights fires
Example:The firefighter died in the blaze.
died (v.)
to stop living
Example:The firefighter died in the fire.
Friday (n.)
the fifth day of the week
Example:The fire started on Friday.
Maine (n.)
a state in the United States
Example:The mill is located in Maine.