KFR IAFF Local 5352

06/16/2026

Do not drive around emergency road closures! The road is blocked off for a reason, read this post and then reread it.
It is dangerous and illegal to go around an emergency road closure.

Accident with entrapment Fletcher St before the round about. Pick up truck vs passenger car likely due to a medical emergency. Driver of the passenger car had to be cut of of the car and taken to the trauma center in Portland. 3 patients transported.

PSA

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE – PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE AROUND EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURES 🚨

Kennebunk Fire Rescue and the Kennebunk Police Department are seeing a concerning increase in motorists driving around police cars, fire apparatus, cones, flares, and other roadway closures at emergency scenes.

This behavior is not only dangerous—it is illegal.

When emergency vehicles are positioned to block a roadway, they are there for a reason. Firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, tow truck operators, utility crews, and accident victims may be working in and around the roadway, often with limited protection from passing traffic.

At a recent motor vehicle accident scene alone, at least ten separate motorists drove around police and fire vehicles and entered the active work area. Several drivers even traveled the wrong way in the opposite lane of traffic to bypass the closure.

Every time this occurs, it places emergency responders and members of the public at unnecessary risk of serious injury or death.

Please understand that moving forward, motorists who drive around established roadblocks or emergency scene closures will likely be issued a summons by the Kennebunk Police Department.

If you encounter a road closure:

✅ Slow down and follow directions from emergency personnel.
✅ Obey all traffic control devices and barricades.
✅ Use the designated detour or alternate route.
✅ Be patient—we will reopen the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.

No destination is worth risking the life of a firefighter, police officer, paramedic, tow operator, utility worker, or fellow citizen.

Thank you for helping us keep our responders and community safe.



Kennebunk Police Department
Town of Kennebunk, Maine
3 towns, 1 community
The Village: Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

06/14/2026

Update: This has now been updated to a 4th alarm fire to bring in more manpower to the scene in wells. Towns from York county and New Hampshire are on scene.

KFR is currently working mutual aid in Wells for a 2nd alarm structure fire. T22 & E3 responded to the request.

06/14/2026

Last evening at approximately 2039 hours KFR responded to mile 24 Southbound for a motorcycle crash. The male operator was transported to Portsmouth Hospital with life threatening injuries.
KFR IAFF Local 5352
3 towns, 1 community
The Village: Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
Maine State Police
Maine Turnpike Authority

06/12/2026

A week full of training. Local 5352 members participated in our annual live burns yesterday and today.

06/12/2026

2 Local 5352 members just finished up a week long class that included Fire Instructor 2 & Live Fire Instructor in-Charge. They ended the week with live burns for the LFI cert.

05/30/2026

The Village: Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
3 towns, 1 community
KFR IAFF Local 5352

05/30/2026

A-Shift is just coming back into town after a vehicle fire on the Maine Turnpike Southbound. E2, SQ1, C1 responded on the call.

05/26/2026

FMO Releases Preliminary Findings in Robbins Lumber Fire and Explosion Investigation

FMO Investigators and ATF Special Agents worked throughout the Memorial Day weekend at the scene of the Robbins Lumber fire and explosion in Searsmont. During that time, personnel paused to honor Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and remember military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

The Office of State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives National Response Team began demobilization operations on Monday following completion of the initial scene examination. While the on-scene phase of the investigation concluded, the investigation itself remains active and ongoing. Over the weekend, crane operations were completed to lift and move the silo structure, allowing investigators access to areas critical to the scene examination and the evidence recovery effort.

Based on the information obtained to date, the cause of the fire is considered accidental. Investigators believe the fire originated in the area of the unloader mechanism at the base of the silo. Before fire suppression operations could fully contain the smoldering fire, a rapid ignition of suspended particulate material resulted in an explosion within the silo. Investigators determined during the explosion that the silo lifted from its concrete base, releasing large amounts of sawdust and additional particulate material. The silo then toppled over, at which point the surrounding area became rapidly engulfed in fire. The fire rapidly spread to adjacent buildings and structures within the mill complex, contributing to the extensive damage to multiple buildings.

In the coming months, investigators will return to the facility to conduct a more detailed examination of the unloader systems, which may include additional testing in coordination with insurance representatives and additional technical experts to further identify a cause. Investigators also determined the facility’s fire suppression system, which was located near the top of the silo, did not activate because temperatures at that elevation did not reach the activation threshold after the fire originated at the base of the silo.

The investigation is expected to remain open while follow-up analysis, testing, reports, and coordination continue. Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests related to the investigation will be directed to the ATF. The Office of State Fire Marshal will be coordinating with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding firefighter safety and has initiated the line-of-duty death review processes.

Additionally, investigators learned through interviews that John Ward, initially identified as a mill employee, responded as a member of the Lincolnville Fire Department, and was not affiliated with the mill.

Our thoughts remain with Firefighter Cross’s family, fellow firefighters, and the injured individuals continuing their recovery.