By Kathryn Marchocki
The New Hampshire Union Leader
FRANCESTOWN, N.H. — A Francestown homeowner escaped his burning home early yesterday after being awakened by his dog.
The dog barked incessantly until the homeowner got up and went downstairs to see what was wrong. He found his dining room in flames shortly before 2 a.m., Deputy Fire Chief David Kullgren said.
The homeowner grabbed his two dogs and cat and safely got outside.
Firefighters arrived to find flames coming out of the rear windows of the 617 Poor Farm Road antique post-and-beam house. A second alarm was struck at 2 a.m. Two additional engine companies were called in so firefighters could take breaks from the heat and humidity, Kullgren said.
No one was hurt.
The fire began in the dining room and went up the exterior siding causing some damage in the attic, he said.
Firefighters from about eight towns brought the blaze under control at 4:08 a.m.
An investigator with the state Fire Marshal’s office ruled the fire accidental, but undetermined, Kullgren said. It remains under investigation.
The dining room sustained most of the damage, though there was smoke and water damage throughout the house, he said.
“Right now, there are tons of family and friends helping him take his belongings out of the house. That’s why we live in such a small town,” Kullgren said.
The chief said he contacted the Red Cross to assist the family with temporary housing.
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