Gilford family displaced after condo fire, no injuries

GILFORD — A family living in the Mineral Spring Village condominium complex has been displaced after a fire broke out in a bedroom on Friday. Firefighters say the origin of the blaze is a charger for a child’s toy.

Gilford Fire-Rescue responders were called to a fire alarm at 6 Cumberland Road, Unit 24, at 2:19 p.m. on Sept. 26. According to Deputy Chief Brad Ober, a neighbor heard a smoke detector going off and called 911. The building’s fire alarms were activated, according to a media release from the fire department. Companies arrived at 2:30 p.m., and found heavy smoke on the second floor. An engine from Laconia was called to assist.

A hose line was hooked up to fight the flames, and a small fire was discovered in a bedroom on the second floor. Ober said firefighters were able to use tank water, and the fire was quickly extinguished. The fire did not spread, so Laconia companies were returned to their station. The fire was brought under control at 2:45 p.m., and the scene was cleared by 3:15 p.m.

The media release stated the fire was contained to the source and a piece of furniture in the bedroom. The apartment’s second floor sustained smoke and water damage, and there was also minor damage on the first floor.

Gilford police assisted Gilford Fire-Rescue at the scene, but the fire was not deemed suspicious and appeared to be accidental.

“The preliminary investigation looks like a toy charger,” Ober said on Monday. “That is what everything is pointing to.”

Ober said residents of the apartment were home earlier in the day, but not at the time of the fire. The building contains three units, and everyone evacuated safely on their own.

The family living in the unit was displaced, and Ober said they were able to make arrangements on their own for somewhere to stay, rather than requesting help through the American Red Cross. He said there was enough damage to leave the apartment uninhabitable for the foreseeable future.

“There was smoke damage throughout, and repairs will need to be made,” Ober said.

Ober and Chief Steve Carrier agreed the quick response by a neighbor was vital in keeping the fire contained.

“Early notification and solid firefighting made quick work of this one,” Carrier said. “Although some repairs will be necessary, the fire damage was relatively minor.”