UPDATE: Backfiring Snow Machine Cause of Garage Fire

UDPATE (6:12 p.m.): The Windham Fire Department has issued a release pertaining to today's garage fire on 129 Lowell Road.

Fire and police officials responded to heavy black smoke at approximately 2:30 p.m. that could be seen from Heritage Hill Road.

Fire Chief Tom McPherson said that smoke was coming from the front door and windows of the residence with heavy fire visible from the two-bay garage.

"Firefighters were able to stretch two hand lines initially with one operating defensively in the area of the garage knocking down the bulk of the fire while the other was advanced through the main portion of the home," said McPherson in the release.

A closed steel door leading to the garage was the reason, according to McPherson, that the fire did not spread quickly into the main part of the home.

He also confirmed that it was started by a snow machine in the garage.

Pelham crews arrived at that time to help with the bulk of the fire.

Anthony Bonanno, the tenant occupying the home at the time, was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation but was not transported. His wife Ann, son Greg and daughter Samantha also occupied the home.

A family dog was also removed safely from the one-and-a-half story house.

McPherson went on to say in the release that minimal smoke and water damage was sustained throughout the home, with heavy fire damage to the garage.

Red Cross was also called to the scene to help out with temporary shleter. The power was disconnected to the home.

Deputy Fire Chief William Martineau told John Riddle, who owns the property with his wife Cindy, that it would be at least a day or two before the town's electrical inspector could investigate.

Power will remain disconnected at the residence until that time.

Salem, Derry, Londonderry and Pelham provided mutual aid while Hudson provided station coverage.

The fire is still under investigation at this time.

UPDATE (4:51 p.m.): Firefighters have determined the cause of a blaze that decimated a garage on 129 Lowell Road this afternoon to be a backfiring snow machine, ruling it accidental in nature.

Deputy Chief William Martineau said that a tenant, Tony Bonanno, was working on the machine when the incident occured. A small fire started and Bonanno was unable to extinguish it.

Accoring to Fire Chief Tom McPherson, there was somewhat of a delay calling 911 by Bonanno.

"He was trying to get some stuff out of (the garage)," said McPherson.

By the time McPherson and a slew of firefighters showed up from Windham and surrounding towns, heavy fire was coming out of the garage doors, which they were able to contain in about 25 minutes.

According to Bonanno's son Greg, who was taking some possessions out in boxes following the fire, his mother Ann was also home and in bed.

"She wasn't feeling good," said Greg Bonanno.

He said that his father tried to pull everything out of the garage that had gas before running in the house to tell his mother. When he opened the door, there was so much smoke that he couldn't breathe.

"He's got wicked bad asthma so that just makes it even worse," said Greg Bonanno.

Tony Bonanno was able to get out safely with his wife, but the family will not be able to stay in the house tonight. Martineau told John Riddle, the owner of the home, that the residence should be able to be occupied in a day or two. Riddle said that Tony Bonanno was very shaken up about the incident.

For Greg Bonanno, it wasn't about the damage but rather his father's safety.

"I wouldn't have been worried about the house as much as I would have been worried about losing him," said Greg Bonanno.

EARLIER STORY:

Firefighters responded to a working fire at 129 Lowell Road this afternoon.

The fire started around 2:40 p.m., with reports of heavy flame showing from the garage of a 1 1/2 story wood framed building. The blaze was knocked down within about 25 minutes.

The fire was contained to the garage, fire officials said, and as of 3:30 p.m. it had been declared under control, though about six Windham and Salem fire engines and more than a dozen firefighters remained at the scene. Derry, Pelham and Hudson fire departments also responded to the scene.

According to emergency radio broadcasts, paramedics treated one civilian at the scene of the fire. Fire officials said the person was complaining of smoke inhalation, but was able to be treated at the scene and did not have to be taken to the hospital.

Police detoured traffic on both ends of Lowell Road, which caused a bit of a traffic mess as the nearby Golden Brook Elementary School was in the process of releasing its students around the same time that the fire broke out.