ROCKLAND — A house fire on Myrtle Street in Rockland had been burning for some time late into Tuesday night, sending smoke and heat throughout the building before being discovered. 

According to Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock, the fire at the 20 Myrtle Street home remains under investigation. Rockland firefighters were alerted at 12:20 a.m., Jan. 3, and arrived at the scene at 12:24 a.m., where they were assisted by Rockport and Camden firefighters.

Whytock said in his incident report: “Knox Regional Communications Center received a transferred 9-1-1 call Waldo County Communications Center for what was believed to be a dryer fire as 20 Myrtle Street. Crews arrived to find a smoldering fire within the first floor stairwell. The fire had been burning for some time before it was discovered as most of the contents within the area or origin were destroyed. The building sustained heat and smoke damage to both the first and second floors.

Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting Rockland Fire with determining the cause.

Chief Whytock said the first call to report the house fire came directly to the fire station on the department’s business line.

“That line is not monitored and could have been missed if RFD personnel were out on calls,” he said. “If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1. Currently those calls gets answered in Waldo County and transferred to our dispatch center here in Knox County.”

Whytock noted the, “quick response by Rockland Fire & EMS and our mutual aid partners from Camden and Rockport.”