Rockland police and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the cause of a fire that consumed a 10-foot-square gardening shed Tuesday evening.

The fire was reported at 7:56 p.m. Nov. 27 on Prescott Street. Rockland Fire Asst. Chief Adam Miceli said the shed belonged to Ken and Kathy Anderson at 6 Berkley St., but that the driveway and access to it were on Prescott Street.

All Rockland units, including the squad truck, two ambulances, the ladder truck and three engines responded as multiple callers to 911 reported an "outbuilding," a "shed" and a "barn" possibly on fire.

"Until we knew what we had, we erred on the side of caution," said Miceli.

The first units arrived at 8:01 p.m., and what they had was a fully involved 10-foot by 10-foot shed filled with gardening tools, including a lawn mower and chain saw, among other items. Miceli said the shed was located 10 feet from Anderson's residence, and 20 to 25 feet from the next door neighbor's two-family dwelling.

Miceli said they had the fire under control at 8:04 p.m., three minutes after their arrival.

"The garage siding was melted, but there was no damage to the nearby neighbor's residence," said Miceli. "Most of the units cleared at 9:45 p.m., as we did a lot of on-scene overhaul while waiting for the Fire Marshal's Office investigator to arrive."

Miceli said the initial finding of the cause of the fire was "human element in nature."

"There was no ignition source in the building," said Miceli. "Someone brought something to the building and started the fire, either accidentally or intentionally, but that is what needs to be determined, whether it was accidental or intentional."

The shed and its contents were destroyed, and damaged is estimated between $6,000 and $7,000.

Rockport Fire Department was called to Rockland to cover their station in case of another call, said Miceli.