Elderly woman seriously injured in Nashua blaze

NASHUA, NH — A woman was seriously injured and several pets died during a fire at a home Sunday in Nashua.

Nashua Fire responded on scene after a passing police officer reported it. The small home was very smoky. An officer on scene told firefighters that an elderly occupant had re-entered the home to rescue the other elderly occupant. Multiple officers had tried to reach the trapped occupant, a woman, but the fire was too strong. Officers were able to find the other occupant who had re-entered and brought the person back outside to safety.

Nashua Fire immediately began aggressively fighting the fire with the hope of reaching the trapped elderly woman. There were hoarding conditions in the home, which made extinguishing the flames difficult and slowed the progress greatly, said fire officials.

More manpower and equipment was ordered to help firefighters fight the flames.

The elderly occupant was found on the first floor and taken out through a window by a firefighter. She was initially transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua and subsequently taken to Mass General with serious injuries, said fire officials.

It took about 1.5 hours until the fire was totally under control. Nashua Fire officials believe the home is a total loss, with all occupants, believed to be three to four in total, displaced.

Several pets were also located but had died.

The cause is under investigation by the City of Nashua Fire Marshal’s office in conjunction with the State of NH Fire Marshal’s office. It is unknown if there were any working smoke detectors at this time.

Nashua Fire reminds the public to never re-enter a building on fire for rescue purposes.

Cox Media Group