OAKLAND, Maine — State investigators say a propane gas leak likely caused the powerful explosion that leveled a Lakeview Drive home Thursday afternoon, injuring the man inside and scattering debris across neighboring yards.

The state fire marshal’s office said Friday that initial indications point to a propane leak that found an ignition source, triggering the blast around 3 p.m. Investigators have ruled out the home’s propane tanks as the source of the leak and are now examining several propane appliances. The cause remains under investigation.

The two-story home was completely destroyed in the explosion. Cliff Hannon, 66, was inside at the time and was found among the debris by first responders. He was first taken to Thayer Hospital and later flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center

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