The pilot of a hot air balloon and his passengers were burned when propane ignited as he was changing a fuel line upon lift off at the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Festival organizers said a small amount of propane leaked and ignited when it came in contact Saturday with the burner.
WCSH television station in Portland reported that pilot Andre Boucher suffered second-degree burns to his legs, arms and face. Boucher was taken to a hospital.
The injured passengers were either treated at the scene by medics or taken to a hospital.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
NYC Travel Snarled by Snow as Central Park Gets 15 Inches 
Judge Upholds $243M Verdict Against Tesla Over Fatal Autopilot Crash 
UK Floods Raise Specter of ‘Mortgage Prisoners’ Across Banks 
Besieged Berkshire Utility Tries to Rewrite Who Pays for Wildfires 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.