Photo by NASHUA FIRE RESCUE The heavily charred exterior of the Conant Road home struck by fire Saturday night shows some of the extensive damage that left the residence uninhabitable. (Photo by NASHUA FIRE RESCUE )

NASHUA – Summoned to a reported building fire roughly a half-mile up the road from Conant Road Station 6, the crew of Engine 6 arrived moments later to find heavy smoke and fire in the process of engulfing a large, split-level home Saturday night.

Smoke detectors were present and working, officials said, and the four people who live in the home, at 58 Conant Road, were able to safely evacuate before crews arrived.

Nashua Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Kevin Kerrigan said crews immediately “stretched numerous hose lines” toward the house to battle flames. The crews of Ladders 2 and 3, he said, conducted a search of the building to make sure everyone was out, then performed “horizontal and vertical ventilation,” meaning they opened up walls and the roof to send flames and smoke away from the firefighters so they could get at the blaze to fight it.

The occupants and about two dozen neighbors gathered across the street to watch crews work. Police rerouted traffic for the better part of the evening.

Striking the second alarm brought all NFR on-duty personnel to the scene, which, including Kerrigan, a fire marshal and the training-safety officer, numbered 37 in all.

Photo by NASHUA FIRE RESCUE Upon arriving at the scene of Saturday night's 2-alarm fire on Conant Road, firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire enveloping almost the entire second floor of the split-level residence. No injuries were reported but the home was left inhabitable. (Photo by NASHUA FIRE RESCUE )

Crews from Merrimack, Manchester, Hollis and Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, covered Nashua stations for the evening.

The cause of the fire, according to Kerrigan, remains under investigation by members of the fire marshal’s office.

He said a team from the local American Red Cross chapter responded to the scene to assist the occupants – two adults and two children – in locating temporary shelter and providing necessities.

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

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Steam and smoke pour from the second floor of the Conant Road residence Saturday night as firefighters work from ladders and make their way in to attack the blaze. No injuries were reported. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS )