Courtesy photo by DAVE MORIN The first firefighters to arrive at 7 Washington St. in Hudson Tuesday night were greeted with heavy fire conditions, prompting a second alarm to be sounded.

Courtesy photo by DAVE MORIN
The first firefighters to arrive at 7 Washington St. in Hudson Tuesday night were greeted with heavy fire conditions, prompting a second alarm to be sounded.

Courtesy photo by DAVE MORIN
Firefighters get into position to battle the wall of flames engulfing the home on Washington Street in Hudson Tuesday night.

By DEAN SHALHOUP

Senior Staff Writer

HUDSON – Firefighters first to arrive at the scene of Tuesday night’s house fire on Washington Street were met with “heavy fire coming from the right side and the rear” of the home, and heavy smoke “pushing from all windows and eves,” the incident commander reported.

Capt. Sean Mamone said Wednesday morning that although crews were able to knock down the bulk of the blaze within 12 minutes of their arrival, the house at 7 Washington St. sustained heat, smoke and water damage throughout, with “extensive fire damage” to the rear portion, the kitchen and the attic.

The lone occupant, identified as Pamela Fraser, called in the fire and was able to get out of the house safely by the time crews arrived.

Mamone said crews were able to rescue a cat. He said the home is owned by Pamela and Ryan Fraser.

The initial dispatch, at 9:12 p.m., sent three Hudson engines, two officers, and an engine and ladder truck from Nashua to the scene, Mamone said.

Upon arrival, Deputy Chief James Paquette reported the heavy fire and smoke conditions, and requested a working fire response.

Moments later, Mamone, the incident commander, struck a second alarm, which brought engines from Londonderry, Pelham and Windham to the scene and summoned crews from Litchfield, Derry and Dracut, Massachusetts, to cover Hudson’s stations.

In all, 32 first-responders, including firefighters, fire officers and EMS personnel, manning seven engines, a ladder truck and five other vehicles, were involved in the incident.

Once the fire was reported under control, some crews remained on the scene for an additional two hours, checking for “hidden pockets of fire” and making sure flames had not extended into other areas of the house.

Mamone said that while the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious, it remains under investigation by Steve Dube, the department’s fire prevention officer.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.