MANCHESTER, NH – A man was injured in a fire at 1082 Dunbarton Road on Thursday, and several pet rabbits perished.
First fire crews from Station 6 were dispatched at 4:41 and arrived seven minutes after the call was received to find half of the home engulfed in fire upon arrival, heavy black smoke venting from the attic and windows.
Crews made an interior attack to search for victims and to attempt to extinguish the fire. Searching crews were faced with extreme heat and zero visibility. As the fire fight and search were progressing, interior crews encountered a floor in a rear bedroom that had given way and fallen into the basement. Major injury or worse was averted by an alert interior crew which stopped just before they fell into the engulfed basement through the compromised floor.
Firefighters were able to save several pet rabbits, although several rabbits perished in the blaze.
One occupant of the home, a man who self-evacuated along with his dog, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The closest hydrant was 1,200 feet away. In addition, extended response time due to the remoteness of the home to the closest fire station allowed the fire significant headway before crews arrived.
Preliminary investigation determined that the cause of the fire was accidental due to an unattended candle.
The estimated damage to the home is $100,000.00.