Local News

2-alarm blaze destroys North Walpole home, hospitalizes 1 resident 

By BOB MARTIN 

Eagle Times Staff 

WALPOLE, N.H. — Multiple agencies fought a two-alarm fire at 4 Pearl Street in North Walpole on Friday that completely destroyed a residence, displacing its occupants and sending one to the hospital for minor burns. 

Chief Matthew Yeatman said that it was determined that the fire was started when one of the residents was trying to light the wood stove, adding that it was not suspicious. 

According to information released by North Walpole Fire and Rescue Department, at 3:30 p.m. firefighters responded to Pearl Street for a house fire. Yeatman said that a neighbor called it in, and a second alarm rang. At that point, fire and smoke could be seen in Bellows Falls as reported by their deputy fire chief. 

“At that point in time, one of my lieutenants was in town, and with the report of the deputy fire chief he sounded an automatic second alarm,” Yeatman said.  

When Engine 1 arrived at the residence, firefighters found the house fully engulfed. Crews stretched a pair of hand lines to protect neighboring houses, and one house sustained some exterior damage.  

“While BF Ladder positioned itself in front of the house, crews made quick work and got the fire knocked down quickly, and made sure everyone was out,” authorities said. “One occupant did suffer some minor burns and was transported to the hospital by Golden Cross Ambulance for observation.” 

Yeatman said that there were two propane tanks located in the back of the house that exploded during the fire. Firefighters were on scene when it happened, but nobody was injured. 

Fire Departments assisting at the scene included Bellows Falls Fire, Walpole Fire-EMS, Langdon Fire and Charlestown Fire. Golden Cross Ambulance and Walpole Police Department also assisted, and Westminster Fire and Alstead Fire covered the North Walpole Fire station. 

The Walpole Police Department notified residents through Facebook about the structure fire, and told drivers to expect delays, detours and closures due to heavy emergency traffic along Church Street. 

Officials said it was a total loss and arrangements were made with American Red Cross for assistance for the three adult occupants.