N.H. Family Escapes Three-alarm Fire

March 15, 2014
The family of six escaped the burning home without injury.

March 15--NOTTINGHAM -- A family of six, and several pets, escaped injury during a three-alarm fire early Friday morning, which caused extensive damage to a Highland Avenue home.

The fire was reported at 5:58 a.m., when residents at 115 Highland Ave. woke up to the sound of smoke detectors, said Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock.

He said the family that lived at the three-story home had recently purchased the property, and were in the process of moving in.

During the fire, six occupants -- including four adults and two children -- escaped unharmed, but the fire caused extensive damage throughout the building, said Vilchock.

Several cats and a pet snake also survived the fire, he said.

According to Vilchock, the likely cause of the fire is a wood burning appliance, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

When firefighters arrived at the scene on Friday morning, they encountered "zero visibility" on the first floor due to the smoke, Vilchock said.

The fire went to a third alarm, as Nottingham firefighters requested mutual aid for additional manpower and a tanker shuttle.

The fire was declared under control by 7:56 a.m.

Fire departments from Barnstead, Barrington, Candia, Deerfield, Epping, Exeter, Freemont, Lee, Newmarket, Northwood and Raymond assisted Nottingham Fire and Rescue Department by providing crews and apparatus during the fire.

The fire remains under investigation.

Copyright 2014 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.

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