AUBURN — One person was flown to a Boston hospital for treatment of burns after a cigarette sparked an explosion and fire at an Auburn salvage yard.

Firefighters say the explosion at Don’s No Preference Towing at about 5 p.m. Monday ignited a blaze that consumed several 55-gallon barrels containing flammable liquids, eight to 10 cars and a large pile of tires.

Deputy Chief Geoff Low says firefighting efforts were complicated by flooding from the nearby Little Androscoggin River. The water was thigh deep in some places in the salvage yard.

Investigators think someone smoking a cigarette while moving 55-gallon drums of chemicals away from flood waters caused the fire.

Business owner Don St. Germain says his grandson, 21-year-old Bryan Mclean, was the person injured. His condition was not immediately available.


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