Fire Destroys Home in Merrimack

Merrimack Fire and Rescue teams along with firefighters from around the region were called to 37 Greatstone Drive at around 8 p.m. last night for a blaze that destroyed a split-level home, according to Fire Marshal John Manuele.

Two engines, an ambulance, and Manuele were called to a report of a structure fire on the drive while other residents began reporting that there were brushfires at several different addresses in the area.

Police were the first to arrive at Greatstone Drive and reported that it was actually a home that was on fire. Mutual aid was called in first from Manchester and Nashua and later, Amherst, Bedford, and Litchfield.

“Engine 1 began a quick attack in an effort to extinguish the blaze, however due to there being no hydrants in the area the fire proved too large to extinguish using tank water,” Manuele stated.

Other tankers arrived but even with the extra water it was not enough to extinguish the blaze.

“Suppression crews … had to be pulled out of the building several times due to roof collapse concerns,” he noted.

Tanker crews shuttling water from the nearest hydrant located on Baboosic Lake Road as well as Nashua Ladder 1’s master stream jetting “large volumes of water on the fire from above” helped bring it under control at around 10:30 p.m. Teams cleared the scene early this morning.

A woman and three children were left homeless by the fire and the Red Cross was requested to assist. Fire crews were able to locate two cats and returned them to the family. The Salvation Army and Merrimack CERT volunteers were also on hand to help.

Manuele stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation but it is not believed to be suspicious.