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Old 03-29-2012, 08:15 PM   #18
Smith Point
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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Default I got the story.

Island fire quickly quelled




By HARRISON HAAS

hhaas@citizen.com

ALTON — Area fire departments responded to a single-alarm fire on a Lake Winnipesaukee island in Alton Monday afternoon after a resident in Portland, Maine, saw smoke while viewing a live webcam online.

The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative in Plymouth had received a call around 2 p.m., regarding a power outage on Rattlesnake Island.

The Alton and Gilford fire departments responded to the online caller’s report for a smoke investigation just before 3 p.m. on Sleepers Island, located just south of Rattlesnake Island. Upon investigation, the fire departments discovered an outside fire and called a first alarm for additional manpower.






There was no damage to any of the residences on the island; however, around an acre and a half of wooded area was burned.

Alton Fire Chief Scott Williams said the fire started from a downed power line on the island.

“The line was a primary line to the island,” Williams said Tuesday. “We called the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative in Plymouth and they were able to remotely shut down the power.”

Local utility crews were able to disconnect the fuses and ground the wire. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Williams said his department’s fire boat was not yet in service and the firefighters had to rely on Gilford’s fire boat which had been placed in service early this week.

“We had Marine Patrol and a boat from Andrew’s Marine take personnel over to the island,” said Williams. “Fire departments were told to respond to Rattlesnake Landing, where they got on a boat.”

A crew of about 20 fire personnel were shuttled to the island. Williams said the it was a rough trip across the lake, with winds gusting at more than 25 mph, creating several foot swells on the lake.

“There were four-foot-plus waves out there; it was pretty rough,” said Williams. “With the temperatures below freezing, when the water splashed up as a mist, it would freeze immediately to wherever it landed.”

Overall, Williams said, the operation went fairly seamlessly.

The fire was declared under control around 4:12 p.m. and the last units went into service at 5:51 p.m.

Departments responding to the incident included Alton, Gilford, Gilmanton, Barnstead, and New Durham. New Hampshire Marine Patrol also assisted during the incident.
by the way I live in bangor Maine. thank god all is well.
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