Friday evening fire strikes Hospital Hill home

LACONIA — Fire severely damaged a small, single-story home, the last on the north side of Taylor Street where the pavement ends, around 6 p.m. yesterday.

Originally the fire was reported on Girard Street, then Stephen Street, one block to the north of the actual blaze, which left firefighters scrambling to locate it. An engine from Gilford drove to the end of Stephen Street, where flame could be seen from the back of the burning building on the adjacent street. Gilford firefighters ran hose and threw water on the fire. Although the fire was brought under control, it continued to smolder and flare as firefighters stripped walls and ceilings.

Fire Chief Ken Erickson said that while the fire appeared most intense at the back of the house it spread throughout much of the small building. The outside of the house above the front door was blackened and firefighters removed the windows on either side of the front door.

Crews from Gilford, Belmont and Tilton-Northfield assisted at the scene, relieving those working with breathing apparatus in intense heat.

Deputy Chief Kirk Beattie said that the where and how the fire started has not been determined, but Deputy Chief Charles Roffo and the State Fire Marshall will be investigating the source of the blaze.