PALERMO, Maine (WGME) — The Maine State Fire Marshal’s office says a man was killed and another critically injured after a fire in Palermo Monday night.
Officials say the fire started around 11:25 p.m. At 98 Leeman Arm Road.
Dan Dyer, who lives a mile and a half from the home, said he just finished watching Monday night football when the home exploded.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s office says a man was killed and another critically injured after a fire in Palermo Monday night. (WGME)
“I actually felt it in my chest in my house . I couldn’t believe it,” said Dyer.
Dyer quickly ran over to see what had happened.
“My sister in law lives over on that side and i know she had gas and my first fear was that it was her place,” said Dyer.
CBS 13 spoke with multiple neighbors who said a father and his son lived inside the home. One couple who lives just a few houses down said they were the first to arrive at scene.
“My wife started screaming that somebody was coming out of the back of the house,” said Dale Cullivan.
Dale Cullivan and his wife said shortly after rescuing the home owners dog they saw one of the men trying to escape with severe burns.
“Horrific. Something I can’t close my eyes without seeing,” said Charelle Cullivan, Dale’s wife.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office says a man was severely burned after a fire in Palermo Monday night. (Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office)
Liberty’s Fire Chief Bill Gillespie said the home was fully engulfed by the time they arrived and it took firefighters six hours to contain the flames.
Gillespie believed the explosion happened in the basement of the home.
“We ended up shuttling water from the end of the road which became difficult because the temperature at one point in time was 7 degrees. We had very icy conditions,” said Gillespie.
Even neighbors had to help out fire crews.
“I know a neighbor had to go over the lake over here drill holes into the water so they get hoses into the lake,” said Dyer.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s office says a man was killed and another critically injured after a fire in Palermo Monday night. (WGME)
The state fire marshal’s office is still investigating what exactly caused the house to explode.
They have not released the name of the man killed.
“He was as always friendly; he was always willing to chat. Sometimes he liked to chat a lot,” said Dale smiling.
