By Shawne Wickham
The New Hampshire Union Leader
RYE, New Hampshire — Firefighters rescued three people after a wind-whipped fire at a home under construction spread to a neighboring home on Ocean Boulevard in Rye early Tuesday morning.
The fire, which went to two alarms, was reported around 1:20 a.m. at 1595 Ocean Boulevard. When firefighters arrived, the unoccupied house under construction was engulfed in flames, officials said in a news release.
The flames spread to the neighboring home due to strong winds. Firefighters entered the burning home and were able to safely rescue the three residents. They were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and later released.
Fire crews were able to prevent the flames from spreading to other properties. They were also monitoring an underground propane tank as a safety precaution.
Rye Fire Chief Mark Cotreau said he was proud of the crews who battled the fire, and he thanked mutual aid crews from 10 area fire departments who helped Rye firefighters.
“I am immensely proud of the crews who initially responded and acted quickly and aided in the rescue of three residents,” he said. “This was a strong job done by all.”
The occupied home was declared uninhabitable, and the American Red Cross was assisting the displaced residents.
Officials said Ocean Boulevard would remain closed or “obstructed” through the rest of the day Tuesday.
Rye Fire and Rescue and the state Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the cause of the fire.
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