One firefighter was killed and at least six others injured Monday morning when a propane gas explosion leveled a building in Maine.

The explosion at 8:30 a.m. came as firefighters responded to the Farmington building occupied by LEAP, a nonprofit that assists people with disabilities, on reports of a propane gas smell.

The building, which had been recently constructed, was evacuated after the gas smell was reported. No employees or patients were inside at the time.

“The new building is spread all over creation,” Town Selectman Scott Landry said.

Kim Hilton, who works at the nearby University of Maine, said “it felt like someone hit our building with a vehicle.”

Video from the aftermath of the blast shows debris raining down on nearby homes and buildings, with the building entirely destroyed.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills said on Twitter that she had instructed the state fire marshal to “thoroughly investigate the cause and origin of this devastating explosion.”

“I am grateful for the work of first responders who are at the scene and urge Maine people to avoid the area,” Mills said in another tweet.

Farmington is about 70 miles north of Portland.

With Post wires