ROCKLAND — Unexpected hazards of a particular parking spot on the property of a Rockland restaurant led to the deaths of two dogs Friday evening, Oct. 6, 2023.

At 7:05 p.m., Knox Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call regarding a vehicle on fire in the rear of the property at 2 Main Street, Primo restaurant. Rockland PD arrived within 2 minutes of the call and reported heavy fire showing, according to Fire Chief Chris Whytock, in day-after report. Upon Squad 3’s arrival, RFD Lt. Tom Shook reported heavy fire with no exposures.

At the time of the call, the scheduled fire department crew, two of five members were already dealing with an EMS call, leaving three members of A-shift responded to the fire, plus the fire chief, according to the report. Off duty personnel also responded from home to staff the firehouse for any additional calls.

Members of A-shift went to work and extinguished the fire with roughly 400 gallons of water. Due to the unknown cause of the fire we requested a response from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. While the investigator was en route to the incident firefighters were able to find the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature.

“Earlier in the day a worker at the property was cleaning up yard debris and had a small burn pile of leaves and brush,” said Whytock. “When the pile was down to just ashes he left the area to do other work. Hours later a patron of the restaurant parked over the area where the fire had been burning earlier in the day.”

The fire department now believe that the remnants of the burn ignited the vehicle’s gas tank, which quickly spread to the rest of the vehicle.

“Unfortunately two dogs were in the truck and died as a result of the fire,” said Whytock.

The incident has led the fire department to issue a reminder to all who burn yard debris: a burn permit is required by city code and state law. Burn permits can be obtained free at www.wardensreport.com when the fire danger allows for open burning. Also, it is the responsibility of the person burning to make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.