Working Smoke Detectors Assist Family In Nashua

NASHUA, NH — Working smoke detectors and a pet are credited with alerting a family on Dumaine Avenue in Nashua about an electrical fire Tuesday.

At just before 4 a.m., Nashua Fire Rescue were sent to the home after a fire alarm activation and smelled an odor of smoke in the area when they arrived. The firefighters "quickly located a fire located on the exterior rear portion of the single family wood frame home that had extended into the basement and first floor," according to Deputy Chief Karl Gerhard of the Nashua Fire Department. The residents of the home self-evacuated due to be alerted by the smoke detectors and a family pet, he said. When they searched the home, no one else was found inside, Gerhard said.

"Companies worked to extinguish the fire but were unable to fully complete (putting out) the fire due to the electrical meter and service wires arcing," he said. "Eversource Electric Company arrived and removed the power at the street to the home and companies were then able to bring the incident under control."

A cable wire on the opposite of the home from the fire also became involved and dropped on a fire apparatus which also caused a short interruption in operations, Gerhard said. The wire burned through and the hazard was resolved.

Nashua Fire Rescue was assisted by AMR Nashua and Nashua police and no injuries were reported.

Gerhard said the working smoke detectors as well as an escape plan assisted the family to safety.

"With the current pandemic, more people are spending increasing amounts of time at home, making these tasks even more important," he said.

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