FRYEBURG — A local man sustained burns over 75 percent of his body Sunday night when an explosion sparked a fire as he and his son-in-law were transferring fuel from one storage tank to another, an official said.

Matthew Beardsley, 52, and his son-in-law, Tony Woitko, were transferring fuel when the explosion occurred at about 6:30 p.m., according to a news release issued by Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. The garage at 374 McNeil Road, owned by Woitko, was destroyed in the fire. Woitko was not seriously injured.

Beardsley was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to McCausland.

Fire Chief Ozzie Sheaff said the house on the property was not attached to the 40-by 60-foot garage and was not damaged by the fire. 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating what sparked the explosion.

Fryeburg, Saco Valley and Lovell, and East Conway, N.H., fire departments responded. The fire was extinguished by 7:30 p.m.