Second fire draws six area departments

While fire departments from a dozen area towns were battling the three-alarm fire on Union Avenue, another blaze erupted on Fells Way in the Southdown section of town, drawing firefighters from Alton, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Loudon and Moultonborough.

According to early reports, the fire broke out in a vacant townhouse — the middle unit in a row of three dwellings — and though the source of the blaze has not been officially determined, it apparently emanated from a stove in the kitchen.

The residence suffered extensive water and smoke damage in addition to the destruction wrought by the fire which appeared to be contained primarily to the kitchen area.

The name of the property's owner was not made available.