Wind-Whipped Flames Destroy New Hampshire Home

LEE, N.H. -- A Fox Garrison Road home was destroyed Monday afternoon in a two-alarm blaze that engulfed the structure leaving only its frame standing as firefighters worked for hours to control the flames.

Residents of the home, set back from the road by a long driveway, were both contacted by police at their places of work, confirming no one was inside the home when the blaze began.

Two dogs located in a fenced-in area behind the home were released into the custody of police.

According to Deputy Chief Joe Lombardo, the fire broke out just after 1 p.m. and immediately went to two alarms due to the time of day and resources available.

One firefighter responded from home, he said, arriving in his own vehicle and reporting that he saw a large fire at 64 Fox Garrison Road. By the time crews began arriving, the fire was fully involved, Lombardo said.

He said the home was a total loss and that the cause of the fire was unknown.

"It's way too early to even think about that right now," he said.

Two hours from the start, at around 3 p.m., firefighters were still tackling hot spots and putting out the flames. Public Service of New Hampshire was on scene to cut off power to the building.

With heavy smoke filling the wooded area, gusts of wind made smoke visible from Route 152.

Standing atop an engine in the driveway, firefighters refilled foam to the foam tank, a smothering agent that helps soak up debris, according to Durham Assistant Fire Chief Jason Cleary.

He also said since there were no hydrants on the road, trucks were rotating from the scene to a filling location on Route 152 and returning to drop off water.

"That's how we have to get the water here, little by little," he said.

Mutual aid from a number of departments helped to gain control of the fire including crews from Lee, Madbury, Nottingham, Dover, Durham, Epping, Newfields, Exeter, Pease, and Barrington.

McGregor EMS, State and local police, and the Rochester Breathing Air Unit also assisted at the scene.

Copyright 2012 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service