Propane leak caused Aroostook explosion that destroyed 2 homes

A propane leak caused the weekend explosion in Sinclair that destroyed two homes.

The blast happened about 7 p.m. Saturday on Shore Road, Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Sunday morning.

It destroyed the homes of 73-year-old Aldeo Ouellette and his neighbor, Rita Dionne, Ouelette’s daughter-in-law, Brianna Ouellette, confirmed on Monday .

Aldeo Ouellette was taken to Northern Maine Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries not considered life-threatening. He has been released and is staying with family, according to Brianna Ouellette, who was at the scene Monday searching for Aldeo Ouellette’s missing Maine coon cat Chance. His dog Brandy, a pitbull and dachshund mix, did not survive.

Dionne, who also was home at the time of the blast, escaped from her home safely as the flames spread to it, according to Moss.

North Lakes Fire and Rescue on Monday afternoon confirmed that the blast was caused by an “accidental propane release and ignition,” citing the Maine fire marshal’s office.

The blast and blaze drew about 50 firefighters from seven departments on Saturday night, according to North Lakes Fire and Rescue.

No additional information was immediately available.