ROCKLAND (10:45 p.m.) — The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office was called to 333 Limerock Street, in Rockland, Thursday evening, to assist Rockland Fire Department in locating the cause of a fire that caused heavy smoke damage to the interior of the house. However, after preliminary investigation, the cause remains undetermined.

A  911 call that was answered Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 by Waldo County Communications Center before being transferred to Knox Regional Communications Center reported smoke in the dwelling. The first firefighters on scene arrived to find moderate smoke conditions in and around the single-family home, according to Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock. The home’s working smoke detectors alerted the occupants to the situation, prompting them to evacuate the building.

“Squad 3 arrived and placed a 1 3⁄4 hose line into operation and made an aggressive attack of the fire,” said Whytock, in a post-scene report.

The fire was contained to the kitchen and the adjoining room, yet the entire building had heavy smoke damage. Two family pets remain unaccounted for as of Whytock’s 8:30 p.m. report.

A total of 25 fire personnel responded to the scene from Rockland, Rockport, Thomaston, and Camden.

Whytock contributes the following factors contributing to the success of the operation:

1. Quick notification to The Knox County Regional Communications Center helped prevent the spread of fire to the house.

2. A quick response by Rockland Fire & EMS and our mutual aid partners from Camden, Rockport, and Thomaston.

3. Staffed fire stations save time, which saves lives and property. Our first due companies were arriving on scene within 6 minutes of being notified of the fire. Water was being applied to the fire within 5 minutes after our initial arrival, quickly stopping the fire spread and further damage.

Responding units and apparatus: Rockland Squad 3, Rockland Engine 1, Rockland Rescue 2, Rockland Car 1, Thomaston Ladder 2, Rockport Fire, and Camden Fire, and South Thomaston Fire for station coverage.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com

Firefighters called to Rockland’s Limerock Street

ROCKLAND (6 p.m.) — Rockland Fire Department and its mutual aid companies responded to a 3:35 p.m. call reporting heavy smoke in the kitchen and living room of 333 Limerock Street, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

Limerock Street has been closed to traffic between Oliver Street and Old County Road while fire crews work to put water on the fire and ventilate the smoke. 

Camden FD cleared the scene just before 4:30 p.m., and Rockport FD returned to its home quarters shortly after. Thomaston FD cleared the scene at 5:37 p.m.

Rockland firefighters remain on scene as of 5 p.m., and while Rockland FD is busy, South Thomaston firefighters are responding to other Rockland fire calls.

The family has been driven to an area hotel.