The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office has identified the victim in this morning’s fire as Kevin Stanley, of Camden.

Smoking is the likely cause, according to a news release from the Fire Marshal.

Kevin Stanley, 53, was a smoker and the fire started on his mattress, the release said.

Camden Police Officer Paul Thompson was the first on scene. He broke the door open and dragged Stanley from the smoke and fire filled room.

Thompson and another motel guest administered CPR but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

“Seven other motel rooms were occupied and no other motel guests were injured,” the report said. “Stanley’s room was gutted by the fire and the two adjoining second floor rooms were badly damaged, as was the roof of the motel and there was extensive water damage.  Stanley had lived at the motel for about a month.  The motel had working smoke detectors which alerted other occupants.”

Rockport Fire Department, along with firefighters from Camden, Rockland, Hope, Lincolnville and Warren, battled a structure fire on Commercial Street (Route 1) very early Monday morning.

Around 3:25 a.m., Dec. 2, Knox County Communications Center received multiple reports of smoke coming from the north side of the Schooner Bay Motor Inn, which is near the intersection of Pascal Avenue.

There has been one fatality.  The State Fire Marshal’s office said that a Camden-Rockport police officer was a first responder and pulled the man from his second floor room but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Room occupants reported fire alarms sounding, and then seeing smoke coming from the second story room at the end of the motel. The motel guests, some with dogs, quickly evacuated into the cold night as engines and ambulances converged onto the scene.

A woman staying at the motel heard the alarm, went outside and saw the smoke rolling over the top of the building. She called 911 and then went door to door, alerting all the occupants, said Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley. There were seven rooms in use that night.

Rockland’s ladder truck was used to get firefighters onto the roof, while others attacked with water hoses from the side of the two-story motel. Rockport firefighters ran a hose up from a hydrant at the corner of Pascal Ave., and doused the rooms with water. 

Some attacked from the roof, cutting holes to vent the fire, while others ripped into the walls to stop the fire’s spread. In total, there were approximately 30-plus firefighters at the scene working in teams to cover all corners.

By 4:05 a.m., the majority of the flames were knocked down, leaving firefighters to continue checking for hot spots. The fire departments began clearing the scene at approximately 5 a.m.

The Fire Marshal was on scene by 5 a.m. and are investigating the cause of the fire.

Union Ambulance was also called because North East Mobile Health Services was attending another call. North East finished that call and responded to the Schooner Bay scene. South Thomaston maintained station coverage for Rockland FD.

Just short of a month ago, November 8, firefighters were called to the same motel to extinguish a fire in a mattress. 

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657