Fire Along Utility Wires Spreads To Brush, Forest In Penacook

PENACOOK, NH — Firefighters battled a brush and forest fire in Penacook on Wednesday after a utility pole caught fire.

Around 3:45 p.m., an Oak Hill Fire Tower monitor reported seeing smoke around Elm Street in Penacook. Firefighters were directed to go to the area of Weir Road. Tanker and forestry units were also requested.

Just before 4 p.m., a witness told dispatch the fire was around the powerlines.

The fire at the power lines was confirmed by firefighters when they arrived, about 300 feet off the road. A few minutes later, more firefighters and another tanker were requested. The commander also requested Unitil to the scene to assist with the high-tension powerlines.

A tanker from Webster arrived to assist Concord firefighters. More Concord firefighters were also requested to the scene.

The fire commander asked other firefighters to come from Elm Street to battle the active fire from the opposite side.

Later, a firefighter noted the burning utility pole was a PSNH pole, not a Unitil pole.

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