Merrimack Fire Rescue responds to a building fire at 16 Sarah Drive.

On Tuesday March 24th, 2020 at 12:02 AM the Merrimack Fire Department was dispatched to 16 Sarah Drive for a reported hot tub on fire. At the time of the dispatch the weather conditions were challenging, having approximately 6 inches of heavy, wet snow on the ground with more currently falling . Engine 2 commanded by Lieutenant Banister, was on its way to a previous call on Wilson Hill Road and was traveling on Turkey Hill Road at the time of the dispatch. Engine 2 was diverted to Sarah Drive and Engine 1 continued to the Wilson Hill call. Ladder 1, Ambulance 1, Fire Chief Duke and Fire Marshal Manuele also responded to the reported fire.

Upon arrival at 12:07 AM, Engine 2 found 2 story cape style home with heavy smoke billowing from behind an attached breezeway. Upon reaching the rear of the home they found a large fiberglass hot tub burning on a rear wooden deck, with flames spreading to the wall of the house and a 3 season room. Lt. Bannister called for a working fire alarm to be sent which dispatched Merrimack Rescue 1 as well as a Nashua Engine and Ladder to the scene and a Manchester Engine to cover Merrimack’s empty stations. After determining that the 3 occupants and their pet dog had all exited the house, Engine 2’s crew started an aggressive interior and exterior attack on the fire. Chief Duke arrived on scene along with Ambulance 1 and Fire Marshal Manuele. Crews continued fighting the fire while overcoming several weather related difficulties. The fire was brought under control at 12:41 AM. An extensive overhaul and investigation was then started.

The fire burned the rear deck and hot tub, as well as the 3 season room and rear wall of the house including several areas of vinyl siding. The interior of the kitchen, a bedroom and attic were also damaged by fire and smoke and water damage was present throughout the home. The home was not inhabitable after the fire. Fire departm