Explosion & Fire Destroy Home Under Construction in Western Maine

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, a propane leak is believed to have caused an explosion and fire that destroyed a home under construction in Bridgton on Wednesday afternoon, leaving five people injured, including one who was flown to a Portland hospital.

The fire happened around 3:30 PM on July 22 at a home on Dyvonne Terrace. The Bridgton Fire Department responded to the scene with assistance from several mutual aid departments after receiving reports of an explosion followed by a residential structure fire.

Five people who were at the home were evaluated at area hospitals. Four suffered minor injuries, while a fifth person sustained serious injuries and was flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Maine Department of Public Safety

One firefighter also suffered minor burn injuries while battling the blaze but did not require transportation to a hospital.

Investigators with the Office of State Fire Marshal determined the fire likely started when a propane leak inside the home was accidentally ignited. The house, which was still under construction at the time of the incident, was declared a total loss.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.