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NEW BOSTON, N.H. — A three-alarm blaze completely destroyed a home and sparked a surrounding brush fire on Weare Road Sunday afternoon, drawing mutual aid response from several neighboring communities.
The New Boston Fire Department responded to reports of a possible structure fire at approximately 2:30 p.m. Emergency crews could see heavy smoke and flames billowing into the sky while enroute, prompting an immediate second alarm to bring in immediate reinforcement.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the residential structure fully engulfed in flames. Crews quickly stretched hose lines and confirmed that all people were safely out of the house.
As the primary structure burned, the intense flames spread to the surrounding woods and brush. Firefighters had to split their efforts between suppressing the house fire and containing the expanding brush fire before it could threaten more of the wooded area.
Logistical challenges met the crews on the scene, requiring a third alarm to be struck for additional tankers and personnel. Because there were no immediate hydrants, a water shuttle operation was established, with tankers hauling water from a supply source near Twin Bridge on Weare Road, roughly one mile away.
Later in the afternoon, a backhoe was brought to the scene to tear down structurally unsafe sections of the building, allowing crews to reach deep-seated pockets of fire.
Firefighters battled the heavy volume of fire in high-heat conditions. To assist the first responders, the New Boston Fire Auxiliary set up a rehab station, providing much-needed food and water to the crews working the scene.
There possibly may be some pets that perished in the fire; however, the fire department is working to confirm that.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
