1 person dies in New Year's Eve fire in Meredith

MEREDITH — Police are investigating a New Year’s Eve fire in which one person died, and say it's not deemed to be suspicious.

“We don’t believe there was foul play or anything like that,” said Police Chief Michael Harper.

Fred W. Tyrrell, 81, of Meredith, died Wednesday in the fire. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Tyrrell’s cause of death was accidental smoke inhalation.

The Meredith Police Department responded to Old Center Harbor Road for a welfare check, after Harper said a family member called the station. Upon arrival, at 6:46 p.m. on Dec. 31, police found an adult male on the first floor of the home unresponsive. Firefighters were called in when officers found smoke in the home.

“We went in first, and immediately noticed the smoke,” Harper said. “We did a cursory search, but that is all I can add at this point.”

According to Fire Chief Ken Jones, the fire was concentrated in the basement, in the vicinity of the woodstove. He said a wooden chair burned, and caught part of the wall on fire. The small fire, put out by Center Harbor Fire Chief Tyler Driscoll and another Center Harbor firefighter using a fire extinguisher, the smoke had filled both the basement and the upstairs.

“The only source of water used to finish extinguishing was a fire extinguisher and pressure water, and Center Harbor did that,” Jones said.

Center Harbor firefighters checked on the victim after extinguishing the fire. Jones and firefighters from Meredith arrived shortly after, to ensure the fire was completely out.

“We did the overhaul and vented the smoke, so people could get in,” Jones said. “We had a moderate to heavy smoke condition throughout.”

The cellar door was left open, resulting in heat and smoke moving up the stairwell. Jones said there was more smoke than fire.

Tyrrell was the only person in the home at the time of the fire, and died at the scene. There were no other injuries reported.

“The call itself was hard for everyone,” Harper said. “Everyone knows each other around here.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the joint investigation. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene following the blaze to pin down the cause and origin of the fire.

Along with the police and fire departments, Stewart’s Ambulance Service also provided assistance.

Anyone who has information that may help with the investigation is encouraged to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.