READFIELD — One person was injured Monday during a propane explosion at a camp on Maranacook Lake.

Readfield Fire Chief Matt Dunn said one man, a technician from Downeast Energy, received second and third degree burns on a hand.

The victim was taken from the camp by boat to the Norcross Point boat landing where he was met by a private vehicle and taken to the hospital.

The two story camp sustained no structural damage, Dunn said, but items around the first-floor fire were burned. Dunn estimated the fire caused less than $2,500 in damage.

“There was very little damage, mostly due to the technician knowing his job,” Dunn said. The technician had a fire extinguisher and was able to douse the flames before firefighters arrived, Dunn said.

Dunn was unsure who owns the camp, but town records indicate the owner is Ann Corbitt.

The explosion occurred around 4:30 p.m., as the camp owner and the fuel technician were opening up the camp, which is located on Maranacook Lake at 140 Big Pines Lane.

“We’re not sure if it was propane from the water heater or if there was a leak in the line, but there was a small explosion,” Dunn said.

Firefighters, unable to get the department’s large pumper truck down the camp road to the fire, called in boats and portable pumps.

Smoke was coming out from around eaves and second floor windows when firefighters arrived, Dunn said. The small fire was completely under control within 20 minutes, but firefighters did not leave until nearly 7 p.m. to meet with an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire is not suspicious, Dunn said. The Fire Marshal investigates whenever a fire causes personal injury or death.

Winthrop fire and rescue, as well as firefighters from Readfield, Mount Vernon, Manchester, Fayette, Vienna and Wayne were called to assist Readfield crews with the fire.
 

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