Propane Leak Blamed for Home Explosion in Maine

Investigators say a propane leak was the cause of a weekend explosion that leveled a house in Bridgton.

Officials say the house exploded around 1 p.m. Sunday while the homeowner was sitting outside after taking his dog for a walk. He was not hurt.

The blast, which apparently occurred in the basement, rocked the neighborhood near Long Lake, scorched the outside wall of a neighbor’s home and set fire to a detached garage. By the time firefighters arrived, the home was a burning pile of rubble.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office said Monday that a number of appliances, including the furnace, were fueled with propane. Because of extensive damage, investigators could not pinpoint which appliance or propane line was leaking or what sparked the explosion.