The Eagle-Tribune
LONDONDERRY, N.H. — Driving to work Tuesday morning, Alan Lantz knew something was wrong as he passed a two-story house at 77 High Range Road.
There was dark-colored smoke coming from the roof of the two-story house that didn’t seem to be coming from a chimney, he said. But, more importantly, he could smell something wrong.
Firefighters credit Lantz and another good Samaritan for preventing a small fire from becoming a large one at the home of Lorraine Elwood, 86. Lantz got Elwood out of the house, while two other passers-by called the fire department at about 10:52 a.m.
Lantz, a Londonderry resident and chef in Nashua, said he was driving by with his car windows up, but he could still smell something wrong.
“I can tell if something burning a mile away,” Lantz said.
He said he knew an elderly woman lived in the colonial home and he wasn’t going to leave the scene until he got her out.
“I went all around the house,” Lantz said. “I went to every door and window I could. I finally came in through the garage to get her attention.”
Firefighters said a second-floor bathroom exhaust fan likely malfunctioned and caused the fire.
When firefighters arrived, they had to remove portions of the bathroom ceiling and attic floor to put out the fire. The home was built in 1782 and firefighters said there were no modern fire protection amenities.
The fire was contained in about 15 minutes.
While the temperature was in the teens, firefighters said the frigid weather didn’t interfere. A portion of High Range Road was shut down until about 12:15 p.m.
Firefighters responded from Litchfield, Pelham and Windham, along with an engine from Hudson. A Derry ambulance also responded.
“It could have been a lot worse,” fire Battalion Chief James Roger said. “The whole big piece of the puzzle is quick notification. The person who drove by kept this fire small.”
Firefighters said the damage was contained to the attic and bathroom. They estimated the total damage at $20,000.
“I would say another two or three minutes, that attic would have been fully involved in fire,” Roger said.
Lantz said he was unsuccessful getting Elwood’s attention when he knocked on the front door. He continued around the house until he saw Elwood come out the side garage door. She was unaware of the fire, he said. They both went outdoors, then Lantz rushed back inside to get some blankets for her.
“I knew the fire was in the attic, so I knew we had time to get blankets,” Lantz said.
Elwood was taken across the street to a neighbor’s house while firefighters dealt with the fire. Her daughter, who declined to give her name, said her mother was fine.
Firefighters said it was questionable whether Elwood would be able to stay in the house, but she has relatives in Londonderry.
Roger thanked Lantz and the others who notified the fire department.
“He gave a great opportunity for the fire department to do their job,” Roger said. “I can’t say enough.”
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