SWANTON, Vt. - Vermont officials say an apartment building caught on fire and exploded, leaving one man critically injured with severe burns.

The Swanton Fire Department arrived just before 8 a.m. Saturday and found the building up in flames. Six residents were home when the fire erupted, and all escaped.

Forty-six-year-old Ralph Labelle of Swanton lived in one of the upper-floor apartments and was seriously injured. Officials say he is in critical condition at a Burlington hospital and being treated for severe burns.

Fire officials say the explosion blew out the walls of the upper-floor apartments. The building is a complete loss.

Three vehicles and two nearby homes were also damaged. Damages were estimated at more than $200,000.

Officials are investigating the cause of the blaze but do not believe it is suspicious.

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