ROCKLAND — Rockland firefighters found fire in a wall of a furniture business, March 1, after a water flow alarm alert was passed along to 911 dispatch from a remote security company at approximately 12:20 a.m.

The five personnel who were on duty for C-Shift at Rockland FD arrived to Weatherend Estate Furniture, at 6 Gordon Drive, in the Industrial Park, and initially found no smoke or fire, according to Fire Chief Chris Whytock. However, a building size-up was completed, at which time they found fire showing from the rear corner of the building. 

Because the sprinkler system had been activated by the fire, the water contained the bulk of the fire until the fire department’s arrival. Once on scene, fire personnel began applying a chainsaw to a small area of the wall in order to extinguish the last of the visible flames. They were further able to gain access to the interior and were able to open a garage door next to the fire zone.

Yet, due to the size of the building, and the uncertainty of whether flames had extended along the wall, or into the interior, they requested another alarm. Off-duty Rockland crew and Rockport firefighters responded to the scene; Camden and South Thomaston crews were directed to the Rockland fire station for station coverage.  

While the mutual aid units were still en route, Public Works made a special trip to the scene to plow as much of the driveway as they could without disturbing the firefighters or the fire equipment. 

The firefighters believe that a propane-fired heating unit is the cause of the fire, according to Whytock.

By 2 a.m., South Thomaston and Camden had been cleared to go home. Rockland and Rockport crews returned to their stations around 2:30 a.m.

Chief Whytock provided the following observations that may have contributed to, or hindered, the success of the operation:

1. Quick notification to The Knox County Regional Communications Center helped get our on duty personnel on scene quickly and supplemented with our off duty personnel (Full time and call division).

2. The sprinkler system did exactly what it was designed to do, extinguish and contain the fire until we could get to the scene and dig out the remaining fire to prevent further damage.

3. Our mutual aid partners are always there ready to help and we can’t thank them enough for their support.

4. The weather did create a longer response times for both on duty and off duty personnel. The roads were slippery due to snow.

The Weather

The small fire was the culmination of a busy day for Knox County. After a slow, fluttery start to a snowstorm, drivers weren’t expecting to be battered with thicker, heavier snow later in the afternoon. Local police departments were spurred to action at approximately 3:30 p.m. as snow buildup and unplowed pavements sent drivers sliding off the roads. 

Lincolnville firefighters and North East Ambulance responded to a rollover (minor injuries) and then were called out again shortly after for a car that went into a ditch and some trees (no injuries).

In Thomaston, on Thomaston Street, a police officer came upon several vehicles that had gone off the road.

In Rockland, the intersection of West Meadow Road and Sherers Lane was closed due to a pickup truck stuck and abandoned, blocking traffic. Another vehicle in the same area was stuck nearby until a tow truck hauled the pickup away.

Another vehicle was reported to have slid sideways down Lindsey Street, onto Main Street, hitting a pole, before driving off.

Also in Rockland, a commercial passenger bus broke down on Camden Street, forcing the company to call for another bus for its passengers, as well as to arrange for a heavy-duty tow truck.

In Warren on Route 90, MDOT reported a vehicle abandoned in a travel lane.

In Union on Route 17, Public Works had to pause its plow work in order to report being struck by a vehicle. Damage was minor.

And, in the western part of the county, two different tractor trailer trucks needed assistance. One had slid off the road; the other was stuck halfway up a hill, unable to ascend further. 

By 5:30 p.m., the majority of weather-related incidents had subsided.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com