PRESS RELEASE Keene Fire Responds to 2- Multi Alarm Fires

On Sunday May 12, 2013 at 2210 hours the Keene Fire Department was dispatched on a 1st alarm to a reported garage fire at 864 Marlboro Road in Keene.

Keene units from both stations responded. Car 3- Capt. Mike Burke (Shift Commander) arrived on scene and established command and reported a one story, 20x15’ garage well involved with an exposure to the house. Command requested a 2nd alarm at 2219 hours reporting that the fire had spread into the house.

Command declared the fire under control at 2308 hours with crews remaining on scene.

Units on scene assisting included: Keene Police, Diluzio Ambulance, Marlborough, Swanzey, Chesterfield, Sullivan, Westmoreland and Brattleboro VT Fire departments.

Units from Spofford, Swanzey, Harrisville and Troy fire departments covered the two Keene stations during the incident.

The garage was a total loss and damage to the house was primarily to the outside of the single family residence. Damage to the garage and house is estimated at $30,000

The Keene Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit has determined the cause of the fire to be combustibles stored too close in proximity to operating wood stove.

The owner of the property is Jay McIntyre of 864 Marlboro Road Keene.

There were no injuries reported.

On Monday May 13, 2013 at 0617 hours the Keene Fire Department was dispatched on a 1st alarm to a reported porch fire at 50-52 Grove Street in Keene. The residence is a duplex and was occupied at the time of the fire.

Before the arrival of Car 3- Capt. Mike Burke (Shift Commander) requested a 2nd alarm 0622 hours as dispatch was taking multiple calls reporting the rear porch area was well involved. Capt. Burke arrived and established command reporting a 2-story residential occupancy (duplex) with heavy fire on the rear porches with fire extending on floors one and two in the rear of the house. At 0631 hours command ordered a 3rd. alarm as crews were working the fire on both floors and the attic area of the duplex.

The fire was declared under control at 0717 hours with crews remaining on scene.

Units on scene assisting included: Keene Police, Diluzio Ambulance, Marlborough, Peterborough, Swanzey, Spofford, Walpole and Brattleboro VT fire departments.

Units from Chesterfield, Sullivan, Brattleboro VT, and Putney VT fire departments covered both Keene stations during the incident.

The structure suffered damage on both sides of the duplex. A vehicle in the driveway also suffered damage from the radiant heat before it could be moved. Damage to the property is estimated at $100,000.

The probable cause of the fire has been determined by the Keene Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit to be an electrical malfunction with an operating refrigerator on the back deck.

The owner of the property is Meaghan Cook of Keene.

There were no injuries reported.

For further information contact: Mark Howard- Deputy Chief Operations 603-757-1862 mhoward@ci.keene.nh.us