Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS

BEDFORD – The Bedford Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 21 Darby Lane at about 3:10 p,m. Monday.

While en route, responding units could see smoke, and when they arrived to the large house there was heavy fire coming from the area of the porch and up the side of the house. Command called for a second alarm immediately, bringing mutual aid from several surrounding towns and cities.

The location of the house that sits well off the roadway didn’t allow access for more than two fire trucks. The immediate area of the house did not have ample water supply, so water shuttles had to be set up from a local body of water. Tanker trucks were filled about one-half mile from the scene of the fire and shuttled water to the scene.

A third alarm was sounded to bring additional firefighters and water supply to the scene. Firefighters worked inside the house, where the fire had extended, cut ventilation holes in the roof and broke windows to access the fire.

Firefighters had the majority of the fire knocked down after about two hours after the initial call. Sources at the scene said that the owners of the house just moved in during November from the western part of the country. Crews worked diligently to remove several piles of boxes still packed from them moving in, and brought them to a safe, dry area.

It did not appear any residents or firefighters were injured. The cause and the origin is unknown and will be investigated by Bedford fire and police.