First alarm fire in Gilford

A Gilford family escaped their ranch-style house without injury around 9 p.m. last night after a smoky fire caused extensive damage to a bedroom in the rear of the home.

Gilford Fire Chief John Beland said the first responding crew to 94 Longridge Road saw flames from the rear of the house and heavy, black smoke coming from the front door and one side of the home.

He said the family, including two adults, at least one child and a dog, were outside of the house when firefighters first arrived but said his crew made an initial sweep of the home to make sure.

"Our first company made a aggressive attack," said Beland who noted there was no visibility and very, high heat in the hallway. "They knocked it down very quickly."

Although last night was a training night and most of the crew was in the station, Beland said it was very hectic and he quickly went to a first alarm because this was the third call the department received in the same time frame.

He said emergency crews were already at a car accident and a medical call and the first alarm brought firefighters from Laconia, Belmont and Meredith to Longridge Drive.

Longridge Drive is not serviced by a public water supply and Beland said a water source was established at the Alvah Wilson Road fire pond but wasn't needed.

He said the first responding tanker carries 1,000 gallons of water, which in this case was enough.

Beland said the cause is unknown and under investigation but appears to be accidental.

Gilford tax records list the owner as Randall Tillson, however members of the family did not wish to speak to the media.

The home is temporarily uninhabitable but Beland said it appears repairable and the majority of the fire damage was contained to the one bedroom. He said there was smoke and water damage throughout the building.