TURNER — Firefighters from seven towns responded to a fire that destroyed a two-level house and a garage on Chase Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Fire Chief Michael Arsenault said owner Mary Ruchinskas was not home at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured battling the blaze.

Arsenault said neighbors reported the fire when they saw smoke and heard explosions. By the time firefighters arrived, both structures were fully engulfed in flames.

According to Arsenault, crews arrived on scene at 12:23 p.m. and didn’t clear until 3:30 p.m.

The only remains of the structures were steaming sheets of metal from the roof and two brick chimneys.

The cause of the explosions had not been determined, Arsenault said. State Fire Marshal’s Office investigators were on their way to the scene.

Arsenault said a propane tank at the back of the house was intact.

The cause and area of origin of the fire remained unknown Tuesday night.

“Hopefully, they can figure it out, but there’s not a lot to look at,” Arsenault said.

In addition to Turner, firefighters from Leeds, Livermore, Auburn, Greene, Minot and Buckfield responded to the fire.

Firetrucks struggled to climb a dirt road that led to the house tucked nearly a mile into the woods.

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