Fire in Alton

[Alton Mumma]

Anyone know more about the fire in Alton early this morning? WUMR didn't have much to say http://www.wmur.com/news/10379718/detail.html
It's that run-down house just south of the circle that had trash litterally pouring out of the doors onto the porch. We drove by on our way to pick up last minute Thanksgiving groceries, we couldn't see much in the dark but it looks like the house is nearly gone.

[RLW]

When I went by at 1 PM it was just smoldering with 2 or 3 fire engines there with no action as the whole ding-dong house was gone. I'm wondering if it may have been a controlled burn as there was not electricty etc at the house so I'm told. I'm sure someone that is reading this has more info to give.
Happy Turkey Day to All!!!!!:)

[Skip]

Foster's Daily Democrat reported it as a two alarm fire in an unoccupied home which began around 3 a.m. Nine departments were called in to assist in fighting the fire. Cause of the blaze is under investigation....

UPDATE: ...today's print edition of the Manchester Union Leader reports that the Alton Fire Chief has determined the blaze to be of suspicious origin and it may be related to a string of arson fires that have plagued the area.

[Coolbreeze]

From my experiences with unoccupied house fires, the overhaul of the building sometimes takes longer than putting out the fire. In some cases a backhoe and dozer will speed things up if the house is deemed unsafe to leave standing. I hope the firefighters and emergency personnell make it home in time for dinner. Glad to hear nobody got hurt.

[upthesaukee]

This house abutted the merrymeeting swamp, and was formerly occupied by an elderly lady who lived alone, and often times could be seen walking to and from the businesses in Alton and her home. Never having been in the house, I can not give first hand info, but have heard that there was literally only walkways throught the interior of the home. What you could see of the porch area of the home on the outside was said to be indicative of the condition of the inside.

As said, fortunately there were no injuries, and also fortunately no school that day. Rte 28 was closed for over 4 hours from the circle to Stockbridge Corners.

[gtxrider]

I don't want to seen callous but from the way the house was described it may be a good idea to let it burn all the way down.

Fire Dept. Motto "We have never lost a foundation!"

[ghfromaltonbay]

UTS- Do you know what has become of the former resident? I remember several years back when she moved out of that house and lived across the street in a blue trailer on the former site of the Sunflower Garden Center. The house and the porch were overflowing with newspapers, cats, and household debris. I used to see her walking along Rtes. 11 & 28 scavenging for items, and once she was being escorted out of McGrath's by Pete who told her to stay out. Just wondered if that poor old soul was still around and living in that trailer. If the house is gone, it will remove 1 more eyesore from Alton. I always laugh when the town fathers give people a hard time who want to build, improve or expand existing structures since they are so worried about spoiling the flavor of Alton for those that drive into town, and yet there are places like this house that stood out like a sore thumb and nothing was done since "that's the way it always was".

[ApS]

"...Fire Dept. Motto "We have never lost a foundation!"

Citizens' Motto: "They saved the chimney!"

[mg2107]

Shes gone to heaven

[playinghooky]

I passed by it tonight and there is now a "For Sale" sign on the burned out house.

[upthesaukee]

UTS- Do you know what has become of the former resident? I remember several years back when she moved out of that house and lived across the street in a blue trailer on the former site of the Sunflower Garden Center. The house and the porch were overflowing with newspapers, cats, and household debris. I used to see her walking along Rtes. 11 & 28 scavenging for items, and once she was being escorted out of McGrath's by Pete who told her to stay out. Just wondered if that poor old soul was still around and living in that trailer. If the house is gone, it will remove 1 more eyesore from Alton. I always laugh when the town fathers give people a hard time who want to build, improve or expand existing structures since they are so worried about spoiling the flavor of Alton for those that drive into town, and yet there are places like this house that stood out like a sore thumb and nothing was done since "that's the way it always was".
Her name was Delma Rollins, and died in January at age 94. Here's a link to an article in the citizen.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061123/NEWS05/111230331/-1/citizen0107

She was a nice old lady, used to see her at the Wayside, sometimes swapping price stickers, sometimes "sampling" the cookies, and the manager would come over and let her know "that was enough for today".

I do think Mal Simonds recollection of how long the house had been vacant is somewhat clouded. We have only lived here since '96 and she was in that house then. thankfully, she has already passed away, and didn't have to see her home, as cluttered as it was, go up in flames.

[GWC...]

Her name was Delma Rollins, and died in January at age 94.
A little additional info:

Delma Rollins, age 94 of Suncook Valley Road in Alton, died Sunday morning, January 29, 2006 at the Rochester Manor.

[ghfromaltonbay]

I do think Mal Simonds recollection of how long the house had been vacant is somewhat clouded. We have only lived here since '96 and she was in that house then. thankfully, she has already passed away, and didn't have to see her home, as cluttered as it was, go up in flames.

I agree Mr. Simonds is a little off on the 20 year estimate. I remember Mrs. Rollins lived in the house during the 1980's - 1990's. The place was overflowing with paper and cats back then too, and I remember that a smaller structure was built on the property to the right of the house and Mrs. Rollins lived in that red building until it burned down. She then moved across the road into the blue trailer. Sorry to hear that she passed away, although she had a long life. I was very surprised to read that she had a family, I always saw her alone or with her cats and often wondered if there was anyone who took care of her or looked out for her welfare.

[RLW]

At the time the lady moved from the trailer beside her home and into the trailer across the street I was told by a sales person at the tire warehouse across the street that someone had purchased the land and building and part of the sale was that they had to leave things as is and provide her with housing until her death and then they could do what they wanted with the property. Now this was told to me many years ago and it is third party information so I guess we can believe it or not. :confused: