ROCKLAND – Firefighters arrived on scene of a small grass fire sparked by one of three insulators that fell from a Rockland utility pole, around 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 2. The insulator malfunction triggered very brief yet widespread power outages in the Rockland, Rockport, and Owls Head area, and the subsequent fire forced responders to wade deep into a field known for a poisonous plant.

A spark from a wire that was upset by the falling insulator is the believed trigger of the flames just inside Thompson Meadow Road, off of Old County Road, according to Asst. Fire Chief Adam Miceli.

Once firefighters finally waded into the vacant field of high grass, only two gallons of water from a portable tank were needed to douse the flames. However, with the day’s shift crew on scene of a smoke alarm investigation on Main Street, only a couple of responders were able to arrive immediately. They then had to wait for more help from other, off-duty, responders, including Miceli.

Though no one on scene could give the name of the poisonous plant, known for causing itching, the plant is not believed to be Poison Ivy or Poison Oak.

The CMP employee on scene estimated that an hour was needed just to get a crew together to fix the insulator.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com