ROCKLAND, Maine — A Rockland firefighter was taken by helicopter to Maine Medical Center for observation after leaving a fire on Old County Road on Sunday afternoon.
It was unclear Monday whether Carl Anderson, a six-year veteran of the department, suffered a medical emergency or was injured in the fire, Assistant Chief Adam Miceli said.
In a subsequent news release, Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whylock said Anderson was hospitalized overnight as a precaution after he became short of breath while operating as the nozzle firefighter on the second floor of the building at 384 Old County Road.
He initially was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center, but “due to the possibility that he’d inhaled countless unknown toxic gases within the smoke,” he was taken by helicopter to Maine Medical Center for observation. Whylock said Anderson is expected to be released Tuesday morning “with a clean bill of health.”
“The circumstances of this incident are being investigated to ensure that all of firefighter Anderson’s equipment worked properly,” Whylock said.
The fire was reported at 3:22 p.m. Sunday and drew mutual aid from Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, South Thomaston and Owls Head fire departments as well as North East Ambulance.
The second floor of the building had moderate damage from the smoke and fire, and the first floor also was damaged by smoke and water, according to a release.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.