LINCOLNVILLE — A Lincolnville Center resident was transported to Waldo County Hospital in Belfast early this afternoon after the car he was driving hit a tree and burst into flames.

The accident took place on Route 52 in Lincolnville close to the Northport town line.

Travis Walauski, 24, was traveling north when he apparently failed to negotiate a curve in the road.  Lincolnville Police Chief Ron Young said that Walauski tapped his brakes, lost control, and then jammed on the brakes, sending the car into a spin.

The car swung around and hit a tree on the opposite side of the road, center-punching it, said Young.

Walauski saw smoke from the front end and attempted to get out the driver's door but it was jammed. He then climbed out the passenger window just as the Saab exploded into flames.

When Young got there just a few minutes after the emergency call was placed, the car was fully engulfed in flames.

Lincolnville fire department got there soon after and extinguished the fire.

"When we got there things were exploding," said Ben Hazen, assistant fire chief.

Lincolnville responded with engines 5 and 1.

Camden First Aid was also immediately on the scene. Julia Libby and crew transported Walauski to Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast with a shoulder injury.

Editorial Director, Lynda Clancy, can be reached at 707-6657 or at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com.