A fire that officials say started in a hot tub caused significant damage to a three-season room at 16 Sarah Drive in Merrimack early Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – A hot tub on a wooden deck adjacent to a Sarah Drive residence became a little too hot early Tuesday morning, to the point it burst into flames that ended up causing fairly significant damage to parts of the home.

Fire Marshal John Manuele said firefighters were called just after midnight to 16 Sarah Drive, where first-arriving crews were met with heavy smoke billowing from behind an attached breezeway of the two-story cape-style residence.

Upon making their way to the rear of the home, firefighters found the blazing hot tub, and also discovered the flames were spreading to the wall of the residence and getting into a three-season room, according to Manuele.

Lt. Scott Bannister, the officer on Engine 2, called for a working fire response, which summoned Merrimack Rescue 1 and a Nashua engine and ladder truck to the scene, Manuele said.

Once crews determined the three occupants and their dog had safely evacuated the house, they began “an aggressive interior and exterior attack on the fire,” and eventually succeeded in bringing the fire under control, Manuele said.

During their extensive overhaul operations, firefighters found the hot tub and deck had been heavily damaged by the fire. They also found moderate damage to the three-season room, as well as the kitchen, a bedroom and parts of the attic.

Smoke and water damage were found throughout the home, Manuele said, adding that the home is temporarily uninhabitable.

Crews assisted the residents in retrieving clothing, valuables and other necessities from the home, he added.

An investigation determined that the fire was caused by an electrical failure in the hot tub, which Manuele said was “most likely due to power surges in the area related to the storm.”

He referred to the overnight snowstorm, which was about at its peak when crews were called to the fire early Tuesday morning.

Manuele said six inches of “heavy, wet snow” made for difficult driving conditions, and also hampered crews as they fought the blaze.

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

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