Three-alarm fire damages Loudon home, no one seriously injured

A spotter in the Oak Hill Fire town saw smoke rising in the distance from about three miles away early Tuesday afternoon, which turned out to be a single-family home in Loudon on fire.

Loudon Fire Chief Tom Blanchette said the first crews were dispatched at 12:08 p.m. to 348 Lovejoy Road. After the report from the fire town in Concord, two passersby called 911 and attempted to check if anyone was inside. Firefighters from around the region responded to the blaze.

When the first trucks arrived, they found heavy flames at the front of the building. They stretched a line to begin dousing the fire and then called for a third alarm due to limited manpower.

One firefighter was treated on the scene with minor injuries, but no one else was hurt. The state fire marshal’s office has started an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire

Blanchette said the homeowners, Howard and Susan Woodman, arrived at the scene over 30 minutes after the fire started.

“We’ve made arrangements with the Red Cross,” he said. “They’ve got family members that are going to be taking care of them locally, but Red Cross is going to be in contact with them to assist with any other needs that they have.”

The two-bed, two-bath saltbox-style home was built in 1996.

The fire was brought under control in 90 minutes, Blanchette said. The home still stood, but was badly damaged by fire, smoke and water.

Crews were expected to stay at the scene for another few hours to douse any potential hotspots. Personnel from Allenstown, Belmont, Boscawen, Canterbury, Concord, Epsom, Gilmanton, Northwood, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Tilton-Northfield and Webster responded to the scene.