ROCKLAND — Route 1 traffic in Rockland was diverted away from Downtown Main Street Thursday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2025 while firefighters searched for smoke inside 385 Main Street, the Thorndike Apartments.

A call to 911 reported a smoke detector alarming, and then someone reported smoke coming from the trash chute on the second floor of the building. 

Main Street was closed to vehicular traffic following the approximate 3:15 p.m. call to Knox Regional Communications Center. Closing the street allowed responding units from Rockport and Camden to enter Main Street from north, the wrong way of the one-way street. Tillson Avenue from the public bathrooms was also closed to traffic, blocked by Rockland fire trucks.

While mutual aid was still en route, crews on scene found that a dry chemical fire extinguisher had been discharged in the second floor hallway, according to Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock.

"It was initially hard to determine if the extinguisher was used to put out a fire or if it was the cause of the alarm," said Whytock. "After extensive investigation it was determined that there was, in fact, no fire and that the extinguisher was discharged maliciously."

Thomaston's ladder truck was brought to the Main and Tillson intersection and the ladder was activated in a proactive staging in case any fire was found.

"Any building on Main Street with a reported fire brings with it a host of complications and the potential for fire damage multiplies," said Whytock.

Main Street was reopened to traffic approximately an hour later.