Police: Propane heater caused SoPo motel fire

A Thursday morning explosion and fire at a South Portland motel that injured one person and led to extensive structural damage was probably caused by a malfunctioning propane heater, authorities said.

An investigation by the state fire marshal's office determined the fire at Knight's Inn on Main Street was caused by a leaky connection on a propane gas heater being used as a primary heat source, Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said in a news release.

The occupant of the room, David Jauchius, 60, received burns on his hand and face during the incident, and was transferred to a Portland hospital. His room was gutted and five adjacent rooms were also "seriously damaged" as was the building's roof, police said.

The explosion took place at about 9 a.m. while Jauchius was watching television in the room. "Fire Marshal investigators say Jauchius was using the propane heater as a supplemental source of heat in the room and it is likely that there was a leak in the connection between the propane tank and the heating unit," the release said.

Investigators also found two 20-pound propane tanks similar to those used with gas grills in the room, as well as 123 smaller propane tanks. McCausland said the majority of those tanks were empty.

Although the room had a traditional water baseboard heat, police say Jauchius was using the propane heater as a primary heating source.