Backhoe Fire Causes Brush, Building To Burn In Concord: Watch

CONCORD, NH — Concord firefighters and EMTs were called to Iron Works Road for a fire on Monday.

Just after 1 p.m., capital region dispatch received calls that a tractor had caught on fire at Shea Farm with possible building exposure. The tractor, later identified as a backhoe, was traveling on the road when it caught on fire, according to Stefanie Breton, a public information officer for the city. When they arrived, responding firefighters reported a backhoe that was "well-involved" with fire that was possibly spreading to brush, too.

Firefighters attached a hose to a nearby hydrant and began putting out the fire to parts of a garage on the property as well as grass and brush around the building. The flames had spread about 10 to 15 feet from the backhoe and around the side of the building.

Fire command notified dispatch they would be able to get it under control and firefighters that had not arrived yet could return to service.

About 20 minutes later, the battalion commander told dispatch the fire was out and they were checking the inside of the building. He also requested police to assist with traffic as they tried to keep the road closed.

The commander requested a call to the state since fire did extend into the building. The farm has been a minimum-security transitional facility for female prisoners since the mid-1970s. The cause of the fire is not known at post time.

NEWS 603 posted video on YouTube.com.

Breton said there were no injuries and Bow fire and rescue teams as well as the Tri-Town Ambulance assisted with mutual aid.

Firefighters were also involved in putting out a fire in Strafford on Monday. Capital region teams, including firefighters from Northwood and Pittsfield, were called to assist in that community.

At 1:30 p.m., the National Weather Service issued an alert of potential fire danger during the next week, due to low humidity and lack of snow cover. A dry air mass across the state as well as breezy conditions could cause any potential brush fires to spread.

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