BRIDGTON – The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be on the scene Monday to investigate the cause of a massive explosion Sunday afternoon that leveled a house, heavily damaged a garage and damaged the exterior of a neighboring home on Pond Road.

District Chief Tom Harriman said that investigators are unsure what caused the explosion, which led to the fire. Neither the homeowner, John Rand, nor another individual living at the residence were injured in the blast or the blaze. Both Rand and the other occupant, whose name was not available on Sunday night, were outside the home when crews arrived.

One firefighter from Bridgton was taken to a local hospital, Harriman said, and treated and released for heat exhaustion.

Harriman said that the fire also damaged a home at 38 Pond Road. Residents of that home – Robert Hayes and Joanne Rollins – were not injured as a result of the fire.

The explosion and fire at 34 Pond Road were reported at 12:28 p.m. Sunday. Harriman said that 45 firefighters from nine neighboring departments assisted Bridgton Fire Department in battling the blaze for nearly five hours.

Additionally, he said that United Ambulance and the Salvation Army were on scene to assist.

“Upon arrival, the house was completely engulfed in flames,” said Harriman of the Bridgton Fire Department.

Harriman said that two outside propane tanks situated in between the two properties initially caused concern for fire crews because one of them was venting. He said the situation was immediately brought under control.