A woman and two dogs were found dead after a house fire broke out in Deerfield Monday night, fire officials said. Firefighters from about a dozen New Hampshire departments responded to the scene on Nottingham Road after a neighbor reported the fire just before 9 p.m. Monday.
The neighbor reported hearing explosions and then saw intense flames coming from the home, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office. Responding firefighters learned a woman lived at the home. They tried to find her but were unable to at first, officials said.
The Deerfield Fire Department said the attic and second floor of the home partially collapsed. “We made an offensive push at the building. Crews were pushed back due to heat and a partial collapse of the attic. We transitioned to defensive operations, and we’ve been continuing that,” said Deerfield Fire Chief Matthew Fisher.
Around 35 firefighters worked to put out the flames. Officials said the fire was determined to be under control at 2:26 a.m. Tuesday. After the fire was put out, firefighters found the woman’s body on a porch. Investigators believe the woman is the resident of the home, which fire officials believe is an old colonial, built between the 1700s and 1800s.
Officials said an autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause and manner of the woman’s death. The name of the woman who was found dead has not been released. No other residents or firefighters were injured, officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
