Firefighters make short work of basement blaze

By James A. Kimble
jkimble@eagletribune.com

August 28, 2008 01:10 am

SALEM — Firefighters knocked down a basement fire at a Shore Drive home late yesterday afternoon.

When firefighters arrived at 24 Shore Drive at 4:15 p.m., they spotted smoke billowing from the back of the home, said fire Capt. John Brackett. When firefighters broke the rear basement window, flames began to shoot out, he said.

The fire was put out in approximately 15 minutes. Brackett would not elaborate on the cause of the blaze and said it remained under investigation.

One Salem firefighter suffered a minor eye injury, he said.

The 911 call came at 4:10 p.m. and prompted a response from three other towns. The home is on the northwest corner of Arlington Pond, where there are no fire hydrants.

Windham sent a single fire engine. Hampstead sent a tanker truck carrying thousands of gallons of water. A Derry ambulance also came to the scene.

The Salem Fire Department sent a ladder, two engines and an ambulance.

One person was inside the home, but was not injured. Property records show the home is owned by Joseph and Diane Kennedy.

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