ROCKLAND and FRIENDSHIP — Less than an hour apart two people suffered non-life threatening injuries in a motor vehicle crash in Rockland and a homeowner may have saved his house from fire in Friendship, Thursday, Sept. 26, as a multi-hour heavy rain storm soaked the Midcoast.

In Rockland, police, Fire, and EMS responded to the intersection of Union and School streets following a 6:25 p.m. report of a vehicle striking a bank. As first on scene, police found a two-vehicle crash involving a car, a pickup truck, and the potential for six injured persons. EMS responded with two ambulances and called for their call-shift members to report to the station as backup. According to Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor, both vehicles were allegedly traveling in the same direction along Union Street when one driver attempted to make a left-hand turn from the outer lane. 

Camden Exxon hauled away both vehicles.

Meanwhile, at the Birds Nest Bed and Breakfast at 4 Main Street, in Friendship, the family who live at and own the establishment became aware of smoke penetrating from the front wall of the two-plus story structure. Friendship Fire Dept. was alerted at approximately 7:10 p.m., and, because the roster of 9 firefighters all live within 2-3 minutes of the scene, they were able to arrive very soon after the call. Firefighters quickly confirmed the presence of active fire in the wall, but never “laid a line” (activated a hose) because a quick-thinking homeowner had already punched a hole in the wall and attacked the flames himself with a fire extinguisher. Firefighters believe that this act may have saved the house.

Smoke filled the structure and firefighters searched the rest of the house for lingering sparks. The family has been allowed back in, however, they were advised to not turn the power back on. Old wires connecting an exterior light is being considered as a cause.

Waldoboro, Cushing, and Warren fire departments all responded to the scene. The last remaining units returned to the station (a few doors down from the B&B) around 8:25 p.m.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com