6 people injured by Bridgton house fire that followed reported explosion
One person seriously injured and four others taken to hospitals; one firefighter sustained minor burns
BRIDGTON, Maine —
Six people were injured Wednesday afternoon by a Bridgton house fire that followed a reported explosion, according to authorities.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office said the Bridgton Fire Department and other area departments responded to the fire on Dyvonne Terrace, which is off of North High Street/Route 302, at about 3:30 p.m.
Five people who were at the home were taken to area hospitals to be evaluated. Officials said four of those people sustained minor injuries, while one person suffered serious injuries and was flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland by a LifeFlight crew.
One firefighter sustained minor burn injuries at the scene. Officials said that firefighter was not taken to a hospital.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and determined the fire likely started after a propane leak inside the home was accidentally ignited.
The house, which was under construction at the time of the incident, is considered to be a total loss.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire remains ongoing.
What we heard from witnesses
Video and photos shared with Maine’s Total Coverage show the fire produced heavy flames and heavy smoke.
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A man who lives in front of the home that went up in flames told Maine’s Total Coverage reporter Jackie Mundry that he heard a loud bang and saw debris fly up into the air.
A family who lives next door told Mundry that they ran over as soon as they could, and that there was a woman inside who ran into nearby Beaver Pond to cool off. According to the family, there was a group of four to five people who were working on a new back deck at the house.
“I was in the kitchen and me and my mom heard a really loud bang. It shook our house,” said neighbor Isabella Boodoo. “We both ran out to my back deck and I screamed: ‘Are you OK?’ And I just heard really, really loud screaming, saying: ‘No, help. Help.’ So at that point, I had already dialed 911 and I ran down into their driveway.”
Witnesses also said a dog was able to escape the burning home.
By the time Mundry arrived at the scene at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, the fire had been knocked down.