While the cause of the explosion that leveled a house in Oakland on Thanksgiving Day remained under investigation Friday, public safety officials say there is no threat to the rest of the community.
Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were expected to return to 36 Lakeview Drive, where first responders from around the region converged Thursday around 4 p.m. for a report of an explosion that was felt miles away.
“It’s Thanksgiving. Is there a family dinner? All these things were going through our minds. That’s why we requested so many resources. We probably had 50 first responders,” Oakland Fire Chief Dave Coughlin said.
One middle-aged man was sent to MaineHealth Medical Center in Portland by LifeFlight.
The status of his injures — and his identity — have not been confirmed as of Friday morning although tax records state that the home belongs to Cliff and Dale Hannon.
Only one person was in the home at the time, Coughlin said.
The homes directly next door to where the explosion occurred had substantial damage. Doors and windows were blown off while houses down the street reported items falling off their shelves and their windows shattering, though no injuries were reported, he said.
Coughlin said that the explosion is an isolated incident and proper measures were taken by Central Maine Power and Fabian Oil to ensure the damage did not continue.
“It was quite a force,” Coughlin said.
Lakeview Drive loops off Belgrade Road and is located not far from the north end of Messalonskee lake.
The explosion was felt in towns miles away.
People on Facebook reported feeling and hearing what was described as a small earthquake in Sidney, Thorndike and Waterville. Coughlin felt it at his home three miles away.
Oakland Fire Department received mutual aid from Belgrade, Rome, Sidney, Smithfield, Waterville, Winslow and Fairfield Fire Departments.
“It’s unfortunate that this happened at any time, but to put it around the holiday and Thanksgiving. As first responders, that’s what we do. We leave our family and dinners to help anyone in need,” Coughlin said
This is a developing story.
