UPDATE: Man killed in fuel tank explosion in Rockport

ROCKPORT – The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the circumstances of an explosion at a business Friday afternoon, May 31.

Departments, along with North East Mobile Health Services, were notified of a 25-gallon fuel tank explosion at 17 Rockville Street, Rockport Steel, at approximately 2:50 p.m. One injured person was reported at that time.

After an investigation, the Fire Marshal’s Office determined that 39-year-old Sean Rancourt was welding on a diesel tank when it exploded. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, he suffered life-threatening injuries from the explosion. He was treated at the scene by local emergency responders but did not survive. Rancourt’s body was taken to the Augusta Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed.

“North East Mobile Health Services responded with three ambulances out of concern for multiple victims of a reported explosion that was heard and felt at our station,” said Jonathan N. Powers, paramedic and
Head of Department for NEMHS.

According to the Internet, this station is 0.5 kilometers away from the crime scene.

This EMS was dispatched at 2:48 p.m., and the first two ambulances arrived at 2:50 p.m. The third ambulance arrived at 2:53 p.m. The first Rockport Fire Department unit arrived shortly after the third ambulance, and firefighters assisted in crate-packing the critically injured patient. A second patient was evaluated at the scene by NEMHS staff and declined to be transported.

At least three Camden-Rockport police officers were also on scene and began investigating with the fire chief while they waited for the fire marshal’s office.

LifeFlight of Maine was dispatched to the area while rescue personnel transported the individual to the Pen Bay Medical Center helipad. Ultimately, however, the patient was not able to board the rescue helicopter.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Reach Sarah Thompson at [email protected]