Public Safety

December 05. 2012 12:26PM

Goffstown fire claims life of dog

By KATHY REMILLARD
Union Leader Correspondent

Firefighters battled a fire on Prospect Street in Goffstown Wednesday. The back of the single-family home was damaged. (Kathy Remillard/Union Leader Correspondent)

(Kathy Remillard)

Flames broke out in a single-family home in Goffstown early Wednesday, causing damage to the back of the structure on 7 Prospect St. (PAUL NAULT)

GOFFSTOWN – Fire officials are investigating a fire on Prospect Street Wednesday in which a family dog perished.

According to police chief Patrick Sullivan, the fire at 7 Prospect St. was reported shortly before 10 a.m. by a DPW worker who was collecting trash.

Fire chief Richard O'Brien described the fire as a single alarm, with additional assistance from Bedford and Hooksett. Mutual aid was also provided by New Boston and Weare.

“The bulk of the fire was to the back of the building,” said O'Brien, “but it looks like the structure can be saved.”

A second dog, TJ, made it out of the building, which was surprising to Coulombe, since the 6-year-old Rotweiler mix is blind.

“He made it out, but his brother didn't,” Coulombe said. “He must've jumped the gate and ran upstairs because he was scared.”

The fire was contained within an hour, and O'Brien said the cause is still under investigation.

With heating and holiday decorations a common cause of fire this time of year, O'Brien said he would meet with the homeowners to explore possible causes.

“It could be anything,” he said.