State Sen. McConkey's home damaged by fire

FREEDOM — A fire severely damaged the home of state Sen. Mark McConkey (R-Freedom) on Tuesday night. The home is located on Clover Lane, which is a private road. McConkey owns it with his wife, Carol.

McConkey told The Conway Sun his family was safe.

The fire drew a massive response from firefighters from Freedom and surrounding departments, including West Ossipee, Center Ossipee, Effingham, Madison, Tamworth and Tuftonboro. The New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

In a text to a reporter at 11:23 p.m. Tuesday, McConkey said “family is all good.”

Also living in the home were daughter-in-law Alexis and her twin sons, who are 1 year old. Their father, McConkey’s son, Jacob, 31, died after a pickup truck collided with his motorcycle in Ossipee last year. The driver was charged with negligent homicide.

On Wednesday, McConkey told The Conway Sun he was having a “busy day” talking to insurance adjusters. He said while much of the house was saved, there is smoke damage everywhere. “It’s a mess, but a lot of the structure is there,” said McConkey.

“We just did complete walk-through, and it’ll be a while” before it is habitable again.

The McConkeys have lived in the eight-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot home for over a decade. He said everyone including pets were able to get out. He said his neighbors were “unbelievable” and took them in Tuesday night.

McConkey said that they could be out of the home for months but they have family to stay with, and the family has been getting a lot of supportive phone calls. Offers of shelter have come from Camp Calumet and Wabanaki Campground.

“I knew this before, but we just live in a blessed community,” said McConkey who was also touched by the robust response from area fire departments and the state fire marshal’s office.

“The number of guys and gals that showed up last night, and the state fire marshal for three or four hours, it just makes you proud to be part of this community,” he said.

McConkey said he had to miss a caucus Wednesday but anticipates being back in Concord today. He said the Senate is in “a lull” waiting for bills from the House. “I was elected, and that’s my job,” said McConkey. “I still have family, my daughter, that runs my business. It (dealing with the fire) just becomes another chore for the family.”

McConkey said the fire was believed to be electrical in nature.

According to Rockingham Alert, the fire broke out on the first floor of the home and then extended to the second floor.

Calls to Freedom Fire Chief Rob Cunio Wednesday were not returned by press time.

The fire was reported around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday and ended up being a second alarm due to wind.

“Fortunately, because of quick and decisive action by the first arriving units the fire was quickly contained, preventing damage to the majority of the structure,” said Effingham Fire Department on Facebook. “EFD members assisted with overhaul and investigation into the cause of the fire. All EFD units were in service before midnight.”

McConkey was elected to the state Senate in November after a long stint in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He also owns M & V Convenience in Ossipee.