Fiery Flashover Injures Firefighter During Evening House Fire in Londonderry

LONDONDERRY, N.H. — A firefighter was transported to a local hospital Friday night after rapid flashover conditions swept through a residential structure during a search and rescue operation at 83 Rockingham Road.

The emergency unfolded at 10:07 p.m. on October 2, 2026, when the Londonderry Fire Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a building fire. Units from Battalion 2 were immediately dispatched, including Engine 3, Truck 1, Engine 4, Rescue 1, Paramedic 1, and Battalion Chief Hallowell (BC-2), with support from an engine and medic unit from neighboring Derry.

Battalion Chief Hallowell arrived on scene to find heavy smoke and flames visible from the structure. A "Working Fire Assignment" was promptly ordered, calling in an additional engine from Manchester to support initial suppression efforts.

Reports indicated that occupants might still be trapped inside the burning building. Truck 1’s crew entered immediately to conduct a primary search while Engine 3’s crew stretched a hoseline into the structure. Shortly after firefighters entered, a sudden flashover occurred, dramatically intensifying heat and fire conditions inside.

During the rapid escalation, a Londonderry firefighter sustained injuries and evacuated the building. Emergency medical personnel treated the injured firefighter on scene before transporting them to a local hospital for further evaluation.

All human occupants and pets inside the home were safely evacuated without additional injuries.

After the flashover, Battalion 2 transmitted a second alarm and requested an additional ambulance. The upgraded response brought crews from Bedford, Windham, Salem, and Litchfield to the scene, along with Assistant Chief Heinrich (C-2), Deputy Chief LeBlanc (C-3), and Deputy Chief Johnson (K-1).

Firefighters quickly knocked down most of the blaze before shifting to extensive salvage and overhaul operations to extinguish remaining hot spots.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Londonderry fire officials thanked regional mutual aid departments for their assistance on scene, as well as Battalion Chief Mague (BC-1), off-duty personnel, and coverage crews from Merrimack, Pelham, Auburn, and Litchfield who staffed local stations during the incident.