Drought likely contributed to fires across Lakes Region on Labor Day weekend

A pair of fires in Franklin and an oil spill on Lake Winnipesaukee were among emergencies which kept first responders busy during a dry Labor Day weekend.

Fires in Franklin

The Franklin Fire Department responded to a fire at 39 Elkins St. on Saturday morning, and just several hours later a fire was reported at 35 Elkins St., at the house next door. The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the second fire.

According to Deputy Fire Chief David Hall, at 9:27 a.m. on Aug. 30, the department was dispatched to a reported building fire at 39 Elkins, a four-unit, three-story building with only one occupied apartment. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, and one pet was removed by firefighters.

Tilton-Northfield Fire & EMS and Sanbornton Fire Department were called as automatic aid, and Engine 4 with a crew of three firefighters responded from the station. They reported smoke showing from Central Street.

“Master Firefighter [Michael] Mussey was the first to arrive on scene as the engine’s officer and reported fire on Delta rear corner of a 3-story building,” Hall wrote in a press release.

Crews from Franklin and Tilton-Northfield entered the building with hose lines, and searched for occupants on the second and third floors. The fire was in the roof and walls, and was difficult to get at due to the high heat. Additional response was requested, bringing in crews from as far as Meredith and Gilmanton.

“It took several additional crews to get the fire under control,” Hall said.

Hall said this fire was heavily involved and damaged about 75% of the structure.

Franklin was assisted on scene by the Andover, Belmont, Bristol, Canterbury, Concord, Gilford, Hill, Laconia, Meredith, New Hampton, Salisbury, Sanbornton and Tilton-Northfield fire departments. Penacook Rescue Squad and Gilmanton Fire provided station coverage and ran an additional medical call.

While Hall said this fire was not suspicious, the next fire on Elkins is being investigated by the state Fire Marshal’s Office because it is “odd” that a neighboring house would break out in flames hours later. This was a small fire in a bedroom that was knocked down quickly by Tilton-Northfield personnel.

“There was a lot of scuttlebutt going around about how the second one was caused by the first, but it looks like a completely separate issue,” Hall said.

Hall said it is a “strong coincidence” with neighboring houses catching fire within hours, and the Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate due to “an abundance of caution.”

The causes of the fires are still undetermined, and the Fire Marshal’s Office said the investigation is active and ongoing.

Firefighters also responded to an outdoor fire on Sunday afternoon behind the wastewater treatment plant. Crews went back to the scene on Monday to evaluate, and again called for reinforcements due to the amount of personnel needed for the overhaul.

Hall said about 1.1 acres was burned in the blaze. The cause was undetermined, but Hall did not think it was suspicious.

“There are a couple trails there, and it is just so dry,” Hall said. “Honestly, a vehicle exhaust could start a fire there. There should not be any fire lit around the whole state until we have significant rainfall. Even the slightest spark can cause a pretty big issue.”

Trail fire in Meredith

Meredith firefighters responded to a fire at 42 Jenness Hill Road at 1:54 p.m. on Aug. 31, after a report of an outdoor fire off a hiking trail that burned a 100- by 60-foot area. Chief Ken Jones said the fire went deep into the ground because of the dry conditions, and in some areas it was nearly a foot down.

The cause does not appear to be suspicious, but Jones said it was undetermined.

“Crews spent about four hours there, laying handlines to get to it,” he said. “We are currently battling dry conditions, and these brush fires are burning into the ground.”

Jones said campfires are still allowed but need to be contained, but he has restricted brush burning.

Oil spill on Winnipesaukee

An oil spill occurred on the Big Lake on Monday, in the vicinity of One Mile Island and Blackey Cove. Jones said the spill was about 300 by 800 feet. Meredith firefighters were on scene with their boat to assist, as the spill was located in Moultonborough and Center Harbor. Moultonborough Fire Chief David Bengtson and Center Harbor Fire Chief Tyler Driscoll were unavailable for comment.

A request for information about the spill to Marine Patrol was not returned by press time.

Laconia blazes

The Laconia Fire Department responded to 44 calls over the holiday weekend, and while Chief Tim Joubert said most were fairly routine, it still made for a busy time for his crew. There was one outside fire in the city that crews from Laconia and Belmont both responded to, which Joubert said was located near the bypass and somewhat difficult to locate. Once found, it was knocked down quickly.

Laconia and Belmont fire both assisted in calls from other agencies throughout the weekend, notably in Franklin for multiple incidents.

Joubert and Belmont Fire Chief Deborah Black echoed others' comments about the dry conditions and urged people to be cautious.

“The ground is pretty dry everywhere so hopefully everyone is careful,” Black said. “Right now, the [danger] level is high, so we are issuing permits with caution. But if don’t have to, we appreciate you not burning.”