CAMDEN — A small bungalow on the corner of Thomas and Beech streets in a quiet Camden neighborhood is currently scheduled to be set afire May 1 for a scary movie scene. At their April 5 regularly scheduled meeting, the town’s Select Board approved the burn, which will be incorporated into firefighting training.

Film producer Mariah Klapatch stood before the board, with Fire Chief Chris Farley, explaining that the house burning is integral to the film’s story. Without giving the plot away, the bungalow gets consumed by flames, as do some characters, and Camden firefighters get that rare opportunity to practice and learn skills with an intentional burn.

The film, Island Zero, has almost wrapped up its shoot in the Midcoast. It is a production of locals: Mariah Klapatch, of Camden, is producing the film, which has a self-financed budget of up to $300,000. She is making the film with Josh and Tess Gerritsen. (Read On location: Tess and Josh Gerritsen's new island horror movie 'Island Zero', an interview with Josh Gerritsen.)

The horror film is set 40 miles off the coast, on the isolated island, and the Camden bungalow, which is pivotal to the story, already looks the part. The old stone foundation is interrupted by gaping dark holes and black plastic stretches over broken windows in the 1900 house.

At one time, it was likely a happy place, however. The house was built in the neighborhood with several other bungalows in the period when Camden’s mills were thriving.

Sitting on one half acre, it is owned by Ronald Hawkins; prior to that, his mother, Mary, owned it. The house and land is assessed by the town at $104,000.

Fire Chief Farley said that before the burn, the fire department will use the old house for four training sessions, including hose line advances, developing a water supply, pump operations, search and rescue, ventilation, firefighter self rescue, and live fire scenarios.

“The opportunity to use an actual building to provide realistic training to our employees is rare and we try to capitalize on these opportunities when they come our way,” wrote Farley, in a March 18 memo to the board and Town Manager Patricia Finnigan.

Before the fire, any asphalt shingles are to be removed from the roof, reducing the toxicity of the smoke. 

He told the board April 5 that the contents of the house — furniture, appliances and plumbing — had been removed.

Klapatch said the neighbors have been informed of the fire and are supportive. She said that there will be another round of community outreach, “to make sure everyone feels comfortable.”

The fire department will be in charge of the burn, and the film crew will follow the fire chief’s directives.

Farley said the fire department will be closing part of Beech Street, and hope to keep at least one lane of Thomas Street open to traffic.

Island Zero is anticipating a 2017 release.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657