NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine — A New Gloucester homeowner has died in an explosion and housefire that reportedly happened while they were working on the home's oil-fired furnace Saturday afternoon.
New Gloucester Fire and Rescue responded to a call shortly after noon about a fire and explosion at a home on Intervale Road that killed 44-year-old Lado Lodoka, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said Saturday in a news release.
Another family member was in the home at the time of the explosion but was able to get out safely.
The fire has been ruled accidental, but the Maine fire marshal's office will investigate into what caused the explosion, according to the release.
New Gloucester Fire and Rescue was aided by fire departments from Pownal, Gray, Durham, and North Yarmouth. Officials with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and an inspector with Maine Solid Fuel also responded.