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Investigation into back-to-back fires at Hudson residence continues; cause likely accidental

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Writer | Oct 19, 2021

Courtesy photo First-arriving firefighters were greeted with heavy flames and smoke coming from the residence at 22 Boyd Road Saturday evening. Crews were called around 6 p.m. to the fire, and were called back 12 hours later to find the entire house engulfed in flames. Investigators believe the fires were accidental in origin. (Courtesy photo)

HUDSON — Indications are that both fires that broke out roughly 12 hours apart at a Boyd Road home over the weekend started accidentally, a state fire official said Monday.

“They are still under investigation, but so far we’re looking at accidental causes,” Shana Clark, an investigator with the state Fire Marshal’s office, said of the two fires that eventually leveled the split-entry home at 22 Boyd Road.

The first blaze, reported shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, caused damage significant enough to render the house uninhabitable, forcing the four occupants to seek temporary shelter.

Three of them were treated at the scene and later taken to a local hospital for what officials described as “mild smoke inhalation.” No serious injuries were reported, officials said.

Crews from Hudson, with assistance from Nashua and other neighboring towns, brought the blaze under control with a half-hour of their arrival.

Courtesy photo The second fire to strike a home at 22 Boyd Road within 12 hours had engufled the entire building when firefighters arrived around dawn Sunday. State and local investigators believe the fires were accidental in origin. (Courtesy photo)

Some crews remained on the scene, conducting overhaul operations by checking for hot spots and extinguishing pockets of remaining flames.

The home is owned by Norma and Wilmot Dennis, who lived there with two other people who are believed to be family members.

A team from the local chapter of the American Red Cross assisted the occupants with temporary housing and supplies of personal items.

But roughly 12 hours later, many of the same crews from Hudson and surrounding towns were again dispatched to the address as calls came in reporting the house ablaze.

The crew of Hudson Engine 1, out of the nearby Robinson Road station, arrived to find the house fully engulfed by fire, officials said.

Clark, the fire investigator, said officials are looking at the possibility that electrical malfunctions caused the fires.

Every scenario being considered points toward accidental causes, Clark said. “There’s no reason to believe it’s arson,” she added.

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

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