Date of Incident: July 16, 2024
Time of Call: 1917
First Unit on Scene Time: 1920
Under Control: n/a
Units Back in Quarters: 0005
Type Incident: Storm Related
Incidents Assigned Apparatus: Engine-1, Engine-2, Tower/Ladder-1, Tanker-1, Rescue-1, Brush-1, Brush-2, Ambulance-1, Ambulance-2, Car-1, Car-2, Car-4,
Number of Keene Personnel Assigned: 30
Mutual Aid Units Assigned: Swanzey (Engine), Spofford (Engine), Chesterfield (Ladder), Marlborough (Engine), Hinsdale (Engine)
Type Occupancy: Multiple Single-Family Residentials
Type of Construction: Wood-Frame
Building Owner: Various
Injuries Reported: None
Summary of Incident:
At approximately 1900 hours on Tuesday, July 16, a strong storm moved into the Keene Area, bringing with it heavy rain, strong winds, and cloud-to-ground lightning. Early in the storm the Fire Department received multiple calls for trees and wires on homes and vehicles, as well as a single-family roof collapse with multiple people trapped.
Storm responses were temporarily complicated by a radio failure at the Southwest New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid dispatch center due to equipment failure caused by a lightning strike at a nearby tower location. This resulted in the inability for dispatch to speak to responding units, dispatch incidents, or dispatch mutual aid units into the city to assist. The system was restored in less than one hour.
By the conclusion of the storm the Keene Fire Department responded to an approximate total of 35 separate incidents. These incidents ranged from trees on wires to partially collapsed homes. In the Tanglewood Estates there are greater than 8 homes with major structural damage, and dozens of homes with minor to moderate damage. The Fire Department assisted 15 individuals who were personally able to find housing options when they were no longer able to occupy their homes due to structural damage.
The Keene Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to stay far away from downed power lines and downed trees that may be energized by power lines, and to not approach emergency scenes as they are dynamic and potentially dangerous. If you are using a portable generator for temporary power, please do so according to manufacturer recommendations, and remember to keep exhaust fumes away from your home or garage. Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are an important requirement in these situations.
Estimated Property Loss: The estimated dollar loss for all incidents is over one million dollars. A full and accurate estimate of storm related damage is yet to be performed.
For further information contact:
Gregory Seymour, Act. Deputy Fire Chief gseymour@keenenh.gov
Richard Wood, Fire Marshal fire-marshal@keenenh.gov