A New Gloucester man, Lado Lodoka, 44, was killed when an explosion occurred at his Intervale Road home on Saturday. Credit: Courtesy of Maine State Police Credit: Courtesy of Maine State Police

A New Gloucester was killed Saturday by an explosion while he was working on his furnace, according to Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss.

The New Gloucester Fire and Rescue Department responded to the fire and explosion at around 12:15 p.m. Saturday. The homeowner killed in the explosion, Lado Lodoka, was 44. A family member was inside the Intervale Road home at the time and was able to get out safely, Moss said.

The fire was accidental, and the cause of the explosion is being investigated. It was an oil-fired burner.

The Pownal, Gray, Durham, Auburn and North Yarmouth fire departments assisted, along with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and an inspector with Maine Solid Fuel.

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Paul Koenig is chief digital editor at the Bangor Daily News. He previously spent six years at Maine magazine, as managing editor and then editor. Before that he worked at Old Port magazine, Mainebiz and...