First responders rescue occupants from burning cottage on Tuesday

LACONIA — Two people were rescued from the back porch of a cabin on Tuesday night while the front of the structure was burning.

Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert said his department was alerted at 7:47 p.m. on Jan. 14 that a cabin was burning at Sun Valley Cottages.

“There was some initial confusion because the callers didn’t know the address,” Joubert said. A crew from the Weirs station arrived first, he said, and they found “heavy fire coming out of the front door, smoke pouring out of the windows.”

The cabin’s two occupants were “stuck” on the building’s back porch, Joubert said. The exit off the rear porch required the navigation of an elevation change, and mobility limitations of the occupants prevented them from attempting to evacuate by themselves.

The two were able to escape thanks to help from Laconia police officers and firefighters, who helped them down the slope and into an ambulance. They sustained minor injuries, Joubert said, and were transported to Concord Hospital-Laconia for evaluation.

“It was close, that fire was spreading rapidly,” Joubert said. The safe evacuation was possible because the arriving firefighters immediately dowsed the fire, slowing its progress and giving the occupants and rescuers enough time. Had the fire department not arrived so quickly, the two occupants would have had to try to negotiate the terrain by themselves, risking injury in an effort to escape the fire.

“It was lucky timing that we got there as quickly as we did and got water on the fire,” Joubert said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but Joubert said his suspicion is focused on a faulty propane heater. He said the incident should serve as a reminder to have such appliances serviced by licensed professionals.

Attempts to contact owners of Sun Valley Cottages by press time were not successful.