‘Caring neighbors’ credited with thwarting wind-whipped Rockland house fire
From left, Rockland firefighters Katy Vanorse and Mike Cole and Lt. Jamie Leo work to put out a fire burning outside 10 Frederick St. early Monday afternoon. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
From left, Rockland firefighters Katy Vanorse and Mike Cole and Lt. Jamie Leo work to put out a fire burning outside 10 Frederick St. early Monday afternoon. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
ROCKLAND — A Frederick Street homeowner did the right thing by putting a scorched towel outside to cool off this afternoon, but unfortunately the towel was left exposed and was too close to the home, and Monday’s gusting winds fanned up flames and ignited the outside of the house.
Asst. Fire Chief Adam Miceli said that neighbors at the back of the house were the first to spot the growing flames on the exterior of 10 Frederick St. around 12:40 p.m.
“Had it not been seen by the neighbor in the backyard, it could have been a lot worse because nobody in the house knew anything was going on,” said Miceli. “The neighbor knew the people inside were not ambulatory and they immediately called 911. The husband of the woman who called came over to help the people in the house, and at about that time Sgt. [Don] Finnigan arrived and was able to ascertain that the fire was just on the outside and that the people inside were safe.”
Miceli said that the Frederick Street homeowner had earlier placed the towel in a microwave oven, and it ended up in the unit too long and became scorched.
He said that an off-duty firefighter was nearby clearing snow, heard the call and responded to the scene with a fire extinguisher.
“He was able to put the external flames out before we arrived,” said Miceli.
Rockland Fire Department responded with Squad 3, Tower 3 and Rescue 3, plus six personnel from the station. Miceli said that another engine with three more firefighters was getting ready to leave the station when the first units on scene ascertained that the fire had not breached the wall and gotten into the home.
“Thankfully, observant and caring neighbors made that early call to 911 and then went over to check on them,” said Micele. “Everybody should be so caring about their neighbors.”
After knocking down the flames, which also scorched into the door trim at the rear of the house, and pulling off some of the shingles in about a 3-foot-square area, Miceli said they put the fire completely out and cleared the scene at 1:26 p.m.
Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.
Event Date
Address
10 Frederick Street
Rockland, ME
United States
