The Rockland Fire Dept. was already en route to Rankin Street following a third-party report to Knox County Regional Communications Center of a possible kitchen fire in an apartment complex. But it was the second call to 911, this time by a neighbor reporting smoke coming from a window, that confirmed the legitimacy of the situation. 

The kitchen fire at 21 Rankin Street, March 19, prior to 7:47 a.m., is being classified as an unintentional cooking error, according to Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock. Because an appearance of human element was involved, Whytock was required to inform the Fire Marshal's Office of the incident. However, in this case, a telephone conversation including Whytock's description of the scene were enough to satisfy the investigator. 

According to the chief, the occupant used a small fire extinguisher to try and extinguish the fire. However, the fire had grown too big and too drawn out for the small extinguisher to fully contain.

"Upon the arrival of the first due companies, they reported light smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story duplex," said Whytock, in a report. "A hoseline was stretched to the doorway and roughly 200 gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire and to cool areas as overhaul was done."

Arriving units included Squad 3, at 7:54 a.m., followed, in no particular order, by Rockland Car 1, Squad 3, Engine 1, Rescue 2, Rescue 3, Rockport Engine 21 and Squad 23, Thomaston Ladder 2, Camden Ladder 1, Rockland PD with a total of 18 fire personnel.

Damage was contained to the kitchen and there was some minor smoke damage throughout the apartment as well. The FD inquired with the occupant about short-term housing, such as a hotel room, but the occupant had other options. The adjoining apartment was not impacted, and tenants were allowed back inside once the building was turned over to the owners, according to Whytock.

Whytock noted additional contributing factors that assisted in preventing a worse outcome:

1. With the call coming in less than an hour after shift change the duty crew and some of the off going crew was able to respond together giving us an additional boost in personnel. This allowed for simultaneous fire attack and other crucial functions to be carried out. This allowed water on the fire within 5 minutes after arrival.
2.  Everyone has evacuated the building before our arrival, as well as the apartment next door. No rescues were needed.

     3. The occupant used a small fire extinguisher to try and extinguish the fire. The flames were initially knocked down which prevented further damage and fire spread.

Though the section of Rankin Street around the fire zone was closed to traffic, Union Street remained open, allowing Route 1 traffic southbound to flow as usual.