Falling ice blamed for explosion in Bethel

BETHEL – Investigators are blaming a chunk of falling ice for an explosion that heavily damaged a six-unit condominium complex near the Sunday River ski area.

Sgt. Ken Grimes of the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office says the ice bounced off a pile of snow into an outer wall, shearing off the main propane line regulator. The blast happened Friday night when gas leaking from one or more of three 500-pound underground propane tanks ignited in the basement.

An occupant of one of the six condo units was kept overnight in a hospital in Norway and several people were treated for minor injuries from flying debris.

Cheri Thurston-Andrews, who lives in the building, says it felt like a “bomb went off.” She says it’s fortunate that few people were around at the time.