Over insulation attic said to have caused Laconia fire

The over insulating of an attic over a south end apartment is said to have been the cause of a middle-of-the-night electrical fire that caused $10,000 worth of damage and caused a couple to be displaced from their two-story home for a few days. Fire Chief Ken Erickson reported the Red Cross responded to the emergency and is taking care of the family while their home is being repaired.

Six fire trucks from Laconia, Gilford and Belmont responded to a call from 380 Mile Hill Road at 3:36 a.m. on Sunday morning. The occupants of the apartments had been awakened by crackling noises and noted that a light fixture in the ceiling was glowing red.

Firefighters found smoke on the second floor of the apartment and police evacuated the adjoining apartments in the six-unit building. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Erickson said that about 15 years ago the apartment complex was re-insulated and blown insulation was placed in all attic spaces, including over the recessed ceiling lights. Over the years, he continued, the heat from the light conducted to the wood truss and eventually the ignition temperature of the wood was lowered to the point that the fire started.

The immediate catalyst, Erickson added, was the recent installation of a higher wattage light bulb that the receptacle was rated for.

"When you are insulating an attic do no insulate over light fixtures," Erickson cautioned. "The device must remain uncovered so that any heat generated can dissipate safely. In addition, always check the light receptacle and read what maximum bulb wattage of is allowed."