Courtesy photo Fire heavily damaged this section of the Derry home in which two residents escaped after being alerted by a neighbor, fire officials said. No injuries were reported. (Courtesy photo)

DERRY – Two people were able to escape safely when their Doris Street home went up in flames Saturday, thanks to a neighbor who spotted the fire and was able to alert them in time.

Battalion Chief William E. Gillis Jr. said the blaze, which broke out shortly after 4 p.m. at 7 Doris St., was knocked down within 10 minutes of firefighters’ arrival, but the resulting damage was significant enough to render the split-level home uninhabitable for the time being.

Gillis said crews arrived at the home, which is in a neighborhood off of Bypass 28, to find heavy fire coming from the rear of the house and the attic. Once they were able to bring the fire under control, crews determined the house had sustained significant heat and smoke damage throughout.

Gillis said representatives of the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the displaced residents with temporary accommodations and necessities.

He said members of the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau are investigating to determine the cause of the fire, which, Gillis added, isn’t considered suspicious.

Courtesy photo Heavy smoke billowing from a Doris Street residence greeted first-arriving Derry firefighters as they rolled up on the scene Saturday afternoon. No injuries were reported. (Courtesy photo)

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

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