Christmas Day Fire Damages Island Drive Home

A fire that started in the area of a wood stove at at home at 52 Island Drive damaged the home but no one was injured and the home owner was able to stay in his home after the fire department 

Merrimack Fire Department was called to 52 Island Drive just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25, for a report of a chimney fire. When Engine 1 arrived with first responders, they found heavy smoke coming from the single story ranch home and requested additional help at the scene.

According to a press release from the Merrimack Fire Department, the owner of the home and his dog were safe and outside of the home. The owner said his dog woke him up and the smoke detector was sounding. He found heavy smoke near the wood stove pipe. He called 911 and tried to attack the fire with a fire extinguisher, but the fire was too large so he exited the home.

Fire personnel determined a fire was burning inside the wall around the stovepipe and extending into the attic. Merrimack Fire Chief Michael Currier arrived on scene and assumed command and Fire Marshal John Manuele also arrived and began an investigation into the cause of the fire. 

Crews from Engines 1 and 2 – led by Capt. Brian Dubreuil and Lt. Shawn Farrell were able to quickly extinguish the fire after accessing the home's attic and pulling apart the ceiling and wall in the bedroom. Fire personnel then overhauled the area to ensure complete extinguishment and protect the property from further water damage.

According to the press release, the fire was determined to be accidental with the most probable cause being a wood stove pipe placed too close to combustible materials. 

Mutual aid was received from the Nashua Fire Department and all fire personnel cleared the scene at 5:01 p.m.