Three people had to be rescued when a fire burned through an unoccupied building under construction and spread to a neighboring home in Rye, New Hampshire, early Tuesday morning.
The Rye Fire Department said they responded to the area of 1595 Ocean Boulevard (Route 1) around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday for reports of a building fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene and saw a home that was under construction and unoccupied fully engulfed in flames.
The fire had spread to a neighboring home that was occupied due to strong winds in the area. Firefighters immediately entered the home and were able to safely rescue three residents who were inside. They then began attacking the fire and were able to stop it from spreading to any other properties.
Photos from the scene showed a wall of flame erupting from the buildings at the height of the fire.
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New Castle Fire Department
All three residents were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and have since been released. No firefighters were injured battling the blaze.
Crews remained on scene throughout the day Tuesday monitoring hot spots. The area remained closed to traffic on Wednesday morning.
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The occupied home has been declared uninhabitable, and the fire department said the three residents who were displaced are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
An underground propane tank was also affected by the fire. The fire department said the tank is in stable condition but they would continue to monitor it until it has been emptied of its contents. They said there are no immediate concerns to the community.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mutual aid was provided by 10 area fire departments, including Portsmouth, Seabrook, Hampton, North Hampton, Greenland, New Castle, Kittery, Newington, Newmarket and Stratham.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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