A Gray man received serious burn injuries when his house erupted in flames early this morning.

Curtis Taylor, who is in mid-40s, suffered burns to his back, arms and face when a fire engulfed his home at 167 North Raymond Road, authorities said. He also suffered from smoke inhalation. He was taken to the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Brian Gagnon, 31, who was staying in the home temporarily, was treated at the scene for cuts on his back. Both men had escaped the house by smashing a first-floor window and jumping through it, said Chris Stanford, an investigator for the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The house was destroyed, Stanford said. Also, a propane tank outside the home exploded, he said. Stanford is investigating the cause of the fire, which began in the basement.

A passing motorist noticed the fire and called 911 at 4:41 a.m.

When fire crews arrived at the scene, the two-story house was fully engulfed and Taylor and Gagnon had already escaped, Stanford said.

He said Gagnon, who was sleeping on the first floor, first noticed the fire and alerted Taylor, who was asleep in a second-floor bedroom. He said Taylor received his burns in his bedroom while trying to escape.

Stanford said the open-concept design of the home allowed the the fire to travel quickly. In addition, the house featured exposed post-and-beam construction and had vents cut through the floors.

Taylor works as a contractor. Gagnon is his employee, Stanford said.

Crews from several fire departments responded, including Gray, New Gloucester and Windham.

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