By Dan O’Brien
The Union Leader
BOW, N.H. — An explosion blew firefighters to the ground as they fought a two-alarm blaze at 13 Jonathan Lane last night, but no one was injured, a fire official said.
“It was a good-sized explosion,” Assistant Fire Chief Richard Pistey said. “It literally knocked down the first crew.”
Pistey said firefighters from Bow and Concord arrived at the scene about 6 p.m., when flames were shooting well into the air.
Five other fire departments provided mutual aid.
“We were just unloading groceries,” said Glenn Foley, who lives at the home with his wife and two children. “My wife noticed smoke. Then we looked outside and saw the garage on fire.”
Foley, his family members and their four cats and two dogs were able to escape the house safely.
Foley said he and his children had been home for a few hours before the fire started and his wife had just returned home.
When firefighters arrived, the garage attached to the two-story house was fully involved, with flames extending into a breezeway, Pistey said.
“They stopped it where they found it,” he said.
While the firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading, water and smoke damaged the house. The fire burned through the roof of the garage.
“The garage is gone, but the house is definitely salvageable,” Pistey said.
The Red Cross was called to offer assistance to the family. Neighbors took in some of the pets.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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