Resident's quick thinking stops Thanksgiving night fire

TILTON — A late-night Thanksgiving disaster was narrowly averted, thanks to the quick response of a Main Street resident, who heard a smoke detector in her building and knocked down a fire caused by a cigarette.

The resident called 911, and went back to pour water on the fire. Firefighters from Tilton-Northfield Fire & EMS say this likely saved the building at 300 Main from heavy damage. The good Samaritan's response may have even saved lives.

“If the occupant had not investigated the smoke detector, there would have been a significant fire in the building — the fire was already into the floor system,” Capt. Timothy Ames said in a media release from Tilton-Northfield Fire. “She should be commended. She saved the building and possibly lives with her actions.”

Tilton-Northfield and Franklin firefighters were dispatched to a report of smoke in the building at 300 Main at 11:49 p.m. on Nov. 27. Personnel responded three minutes later, and first responders found no visible smoke or fire. Investigating crews found an extinguished fire that had burned into the wood floor, which could have led to catastrophe.

According to Interim Fire Chief Sean Valovanie, a second-floor occupant heard a smoke detector going off somewhere in the building. She left her apartment to find smoke in the hallway, then heard the alarm on the third floor. She discovered an active fire burning in the floor, near an emergency exit, where people smoke cigarettes.

“I believe people smoke on the fire escape, and it looks like a cigarette fell near the door jam,” Valovanie said.

The occupant went back to her apartment and called 911, then filled up a pot with water to put out the fire. This prevented the fire from spreading until crews got to the scene.

“If she had ignored that smoke detector, there would have been a serious fire,” Valovanie said.

Firefighters cut a small hole into the floor and used a thermal energy camera to ensure there were no hot spots. Valovanie said damage was minimal to the structure of the building.

All four apartments were occupied at the time of the fire. Residents were altered to the fire by the arrival of firefighters, and Valovanie said no other occupants responded to the alarm or evacuated initially.

The brick building was built in 1840, and has four residential apartments on the second and third floors. The first floor has two commercial units, including the Wicked Needles tattoo shop and Caleb’s Barber Shop. The building is equipped with single-station smoke detectors, but lacks a sprinkler system or municipal fire alarm. Due to the building’s age, these are not requirements.

“If it was built today, it would have had a municipal fire alarm and sprinklers,” Valovanie said.

The fire is under investigation, but is believed to have been caused by “the careless disposal of a cigarette.” No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported.

Valovanie did not share the good Samaritan's name, but praised her for calling 911 first, then extinguishing the fire, in that order. Being just before midnight, most people were either sleeping or winding down for the evening, he was grateful she acted quickly and responsibly.

“The fact that she was awake and heard the alarm probably saved lives that night,” Valovanie said. “Thankfully, she was brave enough to go back up and put out the fire.”

This is the second fire since April Tilton-Northfield Fire has responded to potentially caused by improperly disposing of smoking materials. Valovanie said cigarettes need to be put out in a sand pile or a wet surface, as they are a hazard that can cause a fire to grow rapidly, especially in an old building.

Valovanie emphasized the importance of having working smoke detectors, and if anyone needs help installing or testing one, they can contact Tilton-Northfield Fire & EMS at 603-286-4781.

“Our team will gladly visit your home to ensure your detectors are functioning properly, and we can provide detectors to anyone who needs one,” Valovanie said.