Gas Clothes Dryer Causes Fire on Iris Drive

On Sunday March 15, 2015, at 2:29 p.m. the Merrimack Fire Department was dispatched to 4 Iris Drive for a reported structure fire, according to a press statement from Capt. John E. Manuele.

Merrimack Engines 1, 2 and 3, Rescue 1, Ambulance 1, Fire Chief Currier, and Fire Marshal Manuele responded. Merrimack Engine 1 arrived on scene at 2:35 p.m. and reported heavy smoke from the basement of the split entry style home and requested a working fire alarm be sounded which dispatched Merrimack Engine 4 and called in mutual aid from Nashua and Manchester.

The two adult and four juvenile occupants of the home had already evacuated and Engine 1’s crew began attacking the fire. Engine 2 arrived and began laying 4-foot water supply hose to the nearest hydrant on the corner of Turkey Hill Road and Iris Drive. Crews also shut down the homes gas supply line.

Ambulance personnel assessed the occupants, who denied any injury. An aggressive interior attack by Engine 1’s crew under the command of Captain Duke was able to fully extinguish the fire within minutes of arrival limiting the damage to the gas dryer, adjacent washing machine and wall. The fire was declared under control at 2:49 p.m.

The owners reported that there were three cats in the home and a search was conducted by Engine 2’s crew commanded by Lieutenant Newman. The cats were found unharmed hiding under a bed and were secured for their safety. A pet dog had evacuated with the family.

An extensive smoke evacuation operation was then conducted. Damage to the home was minimal and the home owners were able to re-occupy the home.

Liberty Utilities was requested to respond to turn the gas supply back on and check for leaks.

Fire Department personnel removed the dryer and all burned materials from the home. All fire personnel cleared the scene by 4:01 PM. There were no injuries reported. Mutual aid was received from Manchester Engine 9 and the Merrimack Police Department controlled access to the scene

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, due to a malfunction in a gas clothes dryer.