SOUTH THOMASTON — Approximately 40 firefighters from five area fire departments quickly extinguished a garage fire, with exploding propane tanks, at a seasonal home on Spruce Head Island.

The South Thomaston Fire Department responded to a general fire alarm Jan. 23 around 11 p.m. at 30 Bayberry Lane. They were alerted by the Knox Regional Communications Center en route that the caretaker for the property, who first arrived at the scene, reported a structure fire.

Fire Chief Bryan Calderwood said that there was a heavily involved garage on fire, about 50 feet away from the home, and shortly after the firefighters arrived two 120-pound propane tanks exploded.

The fire began at the rear of garage which contains an apartment and a deck that provided access to the space. The rear deck was destroyed and the inside of the garage was limited to water and smoke damage.

Calderwood said that firefighters were able to contain the fire within 10 minutes. The cause of the fire is unknown due to the heavy fire damage. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was consulted but they will not be conducting an investigation. 

Along with the 40 firefighters, six fire engines, and three tankers, mutual aid was provided by the Rockland, Owls Head, Thomaston and St. George fire departments and South Thomaston Ambulance Service. 

Calderwood commended the initial response of the firefighters from the South Thomaston Fire Department. He said that 16 of the 18 volunteers with the department responded to the fire, on a work night, and along with the mutual aid from the four other departments it all worked perfectly according to protocol.

“We all worked as a ‘well-oiled machine’ like one big department,” said Calderwood.  

According to the Town of South Thomaston, the property is owned by Muscle Ridge Purchase Trust and a co-owner trustee, Norman J. Benford, of Cambridge, Mass. 

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com