By Paul Montgomery
The Union Leader
FARMINGTON, N.H. — A smoldering fire from an outdoor fireplace destroyed a mobile home along Hornetown Road and left a firefighter with minor injuries Monday afternoon.
Police, firefighters and emergency personnel responded to 540 Hornetown Rd. at about 11:50 a.m.
Homeowner Peter Demetrious, 56, who has been living at the home for the past 11 years, said he believed the slow-moving fire, which began in the nearby fireplace, crept about 10 feet across the yard and then began to smolder under the home.
“The fire started yesterday. I thought I took care of it, but it blazed up today,” Demetrious said, adding he and his two white German shepherds were able to escape from the home unharmed.
Fire Chief Richard Fowler said one firefighter sustained minor injuries after falling through the floor, which he believes was substantially weakened before the fire occurred.
Deputy Fire Chief James Reinert said firefighters confirmed the fire began in the outdoor fireplace, as the homeowner suspected.
“He was burning brush yesterday and didn’t extinguish it,” Reinert said.
Fowler said the home is no longer inhabitable, because of both fire damage and other unrelated code and health violations.
“I don’t know what to do now,” Demetrious said, adding neither he nor his dogs - Tiggy and Lilly - have a place to stay.Members of the American Red Cross responded to the scene around 2 p.m. to offer assistance, including providing financial support for food and lodging, according to a release from the Red Cross.Fowler said firefighters are concerned about how quickly fires can spread outdoors as the fire-danger level is “creeping up” across the state, especially with the above-average temperatures, the lack of rain and windy conditions.
“Some rain would be nice,” Fowler said, adding residents interesting in having outdoor fires must obtain a permit by calling firefighters at 755-2131.
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