Fire marshal investigates explosion, fire that severely burned Fryeburg man

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of an explosion and fire that left a Fryeburg man with severe burns.

Matthew Beardsley, 52, was burned over 75 percent of his body during the fire Sunday night in a garage at 374 McNeil Road, according to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

McCausland said Beardsley and his son-in-law, Tony Woitko, were transferring fuel from one storage tank to another when the explosion happened around 6:30 p.m. Both men were able to get out of the garage before the fire department arrived. Woitko, who owns the property, was not injured, but the garage was destroyed by fire.

Beardsley was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was listed in critical condition Monday night.

Related Stories