January fire on Old Dover Road deemed of undetermined cause

Scene of Old Dover Road fire earlier this month (Dawn Seaver photo)

ROCHESTER - An Old Dover Road family was displaced by a fire earlier this month in a blaze investigators found to be of undetermined cause on Sunday.

The good news is everyone including the family pet were safely evacuated.

The blaze broke out at 208 Old Dover Road on Jan. 22 at 1:26 p.m., the city of Rochester reported on Sunday.

Engine 5, Truck 6, and Engine 4 arrived on the scene to find a working fire in the attic and second floor of a single-family home that was set back from the road.

After being alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms, two occupants and one pet evacuated the building with the assistance of a Rochester Police officer, who used a fire extinguisher to slow the spread of the fire down the staircase.

The fire was extinguished with the 1st Alarm assignment, and no injuries were reported. The residence was left uninhabitable due to fire, smoke, and water damage, officials said.

Rochester Fire was assisted on scene by Frisbie EMS, Rochester Police, Somersworth Fire, Dover Fire, Berwick Fire, Barrington Fire, Farmington Fire, Milton Fire, Sanford Fire, and off-duty Rochester Firefighters provided station coverage. 1-800-Board-up and the American Red Cross assisted the occupants with immediate needs.

Rochester officials completed their investigation on Sunday, adding there was nothing suspicious regarding the blaze.