ROCKLAND — A time came when the fumes emitting from sulfur candles in an upstairs bedroom became too overwhelming for the resident to go near, leading to a small fire and a fire department response at 14 Frederick Street, in Rockland, Sunday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2025.

No longer able to go up stairs due to the odor, the single occupant called 911 for FD assistance and waited on the front lawn, generating an alert to Rockland FD at 3:24 p.m. By the time Asst. Chief Patrick Lowe arrived on scene four minutes later, smoke was coming from the second story windows.

The initial four on-duty firefighters quickly learned of active fire in that bedroom and while Lowe requested a First Alarm for a working fire, crews stretched a line to the front door. FF Oliver Hamilton and Lieutenant Ben Adams continued on, stretching a line to the second floor where they quickly extinguished the fire. By 3:37 p.m. they were telling Knox Regional Communications Center that clean up had begun.

The fire was primarily contained to the upstairs bedroom with some extension into the upstairs hallway, according to Lowe. Smoke and water damage are throughout the home.

En route from mutual aid were Rockport and Camden, for a total of 17 personnel and eight fire department vehicles. Rockland EMS assessed the occupant; however, no further medical attention was deemed necessary. Another medical call in Rockland was covered by Thomaston EMS.

In a follow-up phone conversation the next morning with the Pen Bay Pilot, Lowe said it was important to recognize the benefits of full-time fire departments, especially in a rural area.

“Without those crew members who could respond straight from the station, there wouldn’t still be a roof on this building,” he said. “We’d still be cleaning up right now.”

At the time of the fire, an investigator from the Fire Marshal’s Office heard about the flames and offered to come by. Rockland FD secured the scene for the investigator, who came to the same determination regarding the cause as that of RFD, according to Lowe.

"Leaving any candle unattended is unsafe,” said Lowe. “In this case, the candle ignited nearby combustible materials in the bedroom. Secondary to the fire danger, sulfur candles – used for pest control primarily in greenhouses – are not recommended for indoor use in homes due to the harmful effects of sulfur dioxide gas. Burning sulfur creates this gas, which can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and even be dangerous to humans and pets.”

Lowe didn't learn what the occupants intentions had been for lighting the candles.

Years ago, the fire department responded to the same address due to a burned motor in a freezer, according to Lowe. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com