SOUTH THOMASTON (3:30 p.m.) — An automotive battery charger is being blamed for a fire on the Dublin Road in South Thomaston this morning, Monday, Jan 30. Based on an investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office, a car’s battery had been plugged into the garage’s charger overnight.

At the time of the call, the homeowner and one grandson were home, and the grandson was able to move a truck out of the way prior to the fire department’s arrival, according to South Thomaston Chief David Elwell. The homeowner was offered, but declined, assistance from the American Red Cross, stating that she has a lot of support from neighbors and her church. A dog made it out of the two-story structure; a cat did not.

No firefighters entered the residence, at 177 Dublin Road, due to instability of the structure, according to Elwell.

“We had partial collapse,” said Elwell. “Later on in the call, when we had it knocked down, we were able to enter in certain places to put hot spots out in the rest of the structure.”

A rough estimate of 90,000 to 100,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the flames, and though a majority of the mutual aid fire departments were released from the scene around 9 a.m., South Thomaston FD remained on scene until noontime, for a total of 5.5 hours. They then returned to their station, where they were still cleaning up at 2 p.m.

According to the Fire Chief, the charger was for a gasoline fuel vehicle with a 12 volt battery like all regular vehicles have. It was not a hybrid or all electric vehicle. The chief did not know the brand of charger. Elwell further clarified that the initial investigation only determined that the fire was “likely caused by the battery charger.” 

SOUTH THOMASTON (9:15 a.m.) — A fire spread quickly through a South Thomaston house this morning, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. 

At approximately 6:20 a.m., Knox Regional Communications Center received a call from the homeowner of 177 Dublin Road, stating that a fire had broken out in the garage. The homeowner and two other occupants were able to evacuate safely.

A first alarm assignment was immediately dispatched, setting South Thomaston, Thomaston, and St. George into motion, along with Warren, Rockland, and Cushing, and Owls Head. Rockport would soon be called to help as well.

By the time the first personnel arrived on scene, in private vehicles, the fire had already spread into the house, tripling the battle zone. Though hoses were kept running throughout the battle, there was at least one point where all hose water stopped for about a minute. That was the telling moment that emphasized that the brigade of tanker trucks wasn’t keeping up with the fire. Despite the constant relay between the fire pond and the house, a moment had come where the water pool went dry. The hoses went dry. 

But that was only one instance. Water resumed again, and the battle recommenced. 

By 8 a.m., the worst of the flames had been cut down.

The Fire Marshal’s Office has been contacted.

By :15 a.m., the majority of mutual aid fire departments were released to go back to their stations and clean their gear before going back to their regular jobs.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com