COMBUSTIBLES LEFT NEAR A WOOD STOVE MAY HAVE CAUSED DEADLY FIRE IN PELHAM, NH. PLEASE KEEP ALL COMBUSTIBLES AT LEAST 3 FT AWAY FROM EVERY HEAT SOURCE
January 25, 2015
PELHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE— A combustible item may have been
the cause of a fatal five-alarm fire in Pelham Friday night, according to Lt.
Patrick Weaver of the Pelham Fire Department.
The cause of the fire remains unclear at this point, but
Weaver said the investigation is “narrowing towards” a combustible left near a
wooden stove. Weaver said the department wants to remind residents to keep such
items away from heaters, as well as to make sure the smoke detectors in their
homes are working properly.
“Working smoke detectors might have changed this
outcome,” Weaver said.
At about 10:06 p.m. Friday, firefighters received notice
of a fire at 7 Blackstone Circle, where four occupants were trapped inside,
according to Weaver. Firefighters worked relentlessly to remove the occupants
from the home, even carrying one through a window of the two-story home.
All four occupants were removed from the home. Two of
the occupants were treated for injuries at the scene, while two others were
transported to a nearby hospital, Weaver said. According to Weaver, one of the
occupants transported, a man, later died. Weaver said he did not know the
victim’s age, or the relations between the four occupants.
The name of the victim has not been released. Weaver
said any fatal fires are investigated through the state fire marshal’s office.
The office could not be reached for comment yesterday.