Three Firefighters Treated at Windham Blaze

Fire investigators have yet to determine if lightning caused a Windham blaze that severely damaged an unoccupied home Thursday afternoon and forced three firefighters to be treated at the scene, though strong thunderstorms were moving through town at the time of the call.

Windham firefighters and police responded to 32 Hawthorne Road just after 12:40 p.m. after residents reported seeing smoke in the area.

According to Windham Fire Chief Tom McPherson, emergency personnel were already handling a previous call at the time the fire was first reported.

Heavy smoke was spotted coming from the top floors and roof of the unoccupied 2.5-story structure when first responders arrived in the area.

Upon attacking the blaze, firefighters were met with heavy smoke, intense heat and heavy fire conditions that prevented them from advancing until additional help arrived.

Due to the conditions rapidly deteriorating, three alarms were called to battle the fire. Departments from Derry, Salem, Pelham, Hudson, Londonderry, Litchfield, Sandown, Auburn, and Nashua assisted at the scene while Atkinson and Dracut provided station coverage.

Another concern that brought the fire to three alarms was the high humidity in which the firefighters were operating.

Three firefighters were treated at the scene for heat related issues. None were transported to the hospital.

The fire was brought under control in about one-hour, but firefighters remained on scene well into the afternoon hours to assist with the investigation.

It's unclear at this point exactly how the fire started which is currently being investigated by Deputy Fire Chief William Martineau.