Updated with photos

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 2:45pm

Holly S. Edwards

Firefighters from Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport are joining Camden Fire Department at the former Louts Restaurant on Route 1 Sunday for a series of controlled training fires inside the structure. Around 6 p.m. tonight, the building will be lit for a final time and burned to the ground. ((Photo by Holly S. Edwards))

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Michael Longley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Ryan Fisher and Lt. Bob French. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighters Galen Todd and Tom Bland man the pumper. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

From left, Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan and Rockport firefighter Bill Lane. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Tom Bland. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Galen Todd. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Asst. Fire Chief Andrew Lowe. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Mary Stiehler. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighters Tom Bland and Galen Todd. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Lincolnville Fire Chief Jason Peaseley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson and firefighter Michael Longley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Using a stream of water to vent smoke out of the building. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Scott 'Sparky' Entwistle uses a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Michael Longley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Ryan Fisher and Lt. Bob French. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighters Galen Todd and Tom Bland man the pumper. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

From left, Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan and Rockport firefighter Bill Lane. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Tom Bland. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Galen Todd. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Asst. Fire Chief Andrew Lowe. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighter Mary Stiehler. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden firefighters Tom Bland and Galen Todd. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Lincolnville Fire Chief Jason Peaseley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Todd Anderson and firefighter Michael Longley. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Using a stream of water to vent smoke out of the building. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Camden Fire Lt. Scott 'Sparky' Entwistle uses a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

CAMDEN — Burning of the former Lotus Restaurant on Route 1 in Camden got underway early this morning and traffic is advised to use caution in the area.

Hannaford Supermarkets owns the property, and donated it to the Camden Fire Department for training purposes. Structures for controlled fire training don't come along often for local firefighters, and some Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport firefighters are joining Camden's 25-member volunteer department in participating.

Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley said not only is it a benefit for firefighters to be able to train on an actual structure, training with firefighters from other towns is important because each are called on occasion to render mutual aid.

"We don't get together very often, and this is a good chance for relationships to build," said Farley Friday during building preparation.

Drills got underway March 23 and continue Sunday. Teams of firefighters will take turns going into the building to attack fires lit in various rooms, providing valuable experience and honing of fireground techniques and classroom training.

Later Sunday evening, around 6 p.m., a final fire will be lit and the building will be burned to the ground. A contractor will eventually remove the debris, and the property will be landscaped, according to Eric Blom of Hannaford.

Traffic along Route 1 Sunday will continue as normal, although the road will be monitored by fire police to keep drivers moving. The burn is expected to be finished by 10 p.m. tonight.

• Big burn: Camden firefighters ignite Lotus Restaurant Sunday evening

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.