The Keene Fire Department was dispatched at 1612 hours to residence for a report of a broken water pipe.
Engine 1 arrived on-scene at 1618 hours with smoke showing from the back side of the house. A 2nd alarm was sounded at 1619 hours. The engine crew stretched hand lines into the building to the 2nd floor to search and extinguish the fire. Fire crews were hindered by the inability to gain access to the location of the fire.
Additional fire department units (C1, C2, Car 3, Engine 2 and Tanker 1) arrived on scene shortly after. A 3rd alarm was sounded at 1638 hours for additional units and manpower to the scene to assist. Additional arriving crews were assigned to search the building, assist with fire extinguishment and to ventilate smoke from the building. The bulk of the fire was knocked down by 1738 hours and crews worked for the few hours to assure extinguishment of the fire. The fire was called under control at 1815 hours.
Keene crews were assisted on scene by Swanzey Fire, Brattleboro Fire, Spofford Fire, Harrisville Fire, Sullivan Fire, Chesterfield Fire, Gilsum Fire, Troy Fire, Westmoreland Fire, Southwest Fire Mutual Aid and Keene Police. Additional crews from Peterborough, Westminster, Walpole, Jaffrey and Bellows Falls were assigned to cover the Keene stations during the incident. Walpole Ambulance and DiLuzio Ambulance both assisted with answering medical calls during the incident.
The Keene Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit determined that the fire was started by the failure of a ceiling fan. Fire damage is estimated at $200,000 dollars.