ROCKLAND — As Rockland Police and the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office continue investigating the burning of Molotov Cocktails on the train tracks, the Pen Bay Pilot inquired with the FMO as to why such incidents are taken as seriously as they are.

Saturday, July 6, at approximately 6:30 p.m., someone near Trackside Station reported to 911 that a Molotov cocktail had been ignited on the train tracks, which, in that location, runs parallel to Pleasant Street.

Police officers and Rockland Fire and EMS responded to the scene and found at least two incendiary devices. 

“Molotov cocktails are improvised incendiary devices that pose significant dangers to public safety,” said the FMO. “These homemade weapons, typically made with flammable liquid, are inherently unpredictable and can cause devastating fires and explosions that can lead to property damage, injuries, and death.”

The devices did not explode, and the fire department added extra precautions by extinguishing any possibility of current and future flames from the bottles. They also helped with searching for more devices.

The situation is considered arson in the eyes of the Fire Marshal’s Office, and a high risk of injury to any innocent person who could touch the weapon as it is about to explode.

Because of the potential for harm, Rockland Fire added its own plea for the public to help with the investigation.

“If anyone has any information we will gladly take it,” said RFD. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt or ending up being a victim, fire is serious.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Knox Regional Communications Center at (207) 593-9132 ext. 4.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com