DUNBARTON, NH — Firefighters from around the capital region and central New Hampshire were sent to a 4-alarm barn and house fire in Dunbarton Thursday.
Just past 6:30 p.m., capital region dispatch began receiving calls about a building fire on Mansion Road. The witness saw the fire not far from the scene on Calebs Way.
Dispatch sent firefighters and tankers from Dunbarton, Bow, Concord, and Weare to the scene.
When the fire commander arrived, he confirmed a barn was fully engulfed in flames and requested a second alarm. Goffstown, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Weare tankers and engines were all requested. The commander said the barn was attached to the home but could not confirm at that point if the fire had spread to the house.
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The fire commander requested a third alarm just before 6:45 p.m., which sent firefighters from Chichester, Concord, Henniker, Webster, New Boston, and Warner to the town. About five minutes later, a commander confirmed the fire had spread to the house.
Firefighters stretched multiple lines to extinguish the fire. The firefighters tapped tankers and also obtained water from a source on nearby Winslow Road.
Allenstown firefighters were requested for mutual aid coverage just past 7 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, Pembroke firefighters were also called to the town for mutual aid. Eversource was also requested to the home.
Around 7:30 p.m., the American Red Cross was asked to come to the scene to assist five adults and four children who were displaced due to the blaze.
About 10 minutes later, Loudon firefighters were also requested to Dunbarton for coverage.
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The fire commander, acknowledging “extensive interior operations,” requested a fourth alarm at 7:45 p.m. Firefighters from Allenstown, Bedford, Bradford, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Loudon were all sent to Dunbarton. Boscawen firefighters were also requested for mutual aid.
Police were also requested to Winslow Road to stop traffic as firefighters tapped Stark Pond for water.
News 603 posted a video from the scene on Facebook.
The home was the historic Stark Mansion, built in the mid-1780s. Caleb Stark, the son of the Revolutionary War Hero General John Stark, lived in the mansion.
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The cause of the fire is unknown at post time.
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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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