Keene, NH, September 24, 2025:
Date of Incident: September 24, 2025
Time of Call: 1249
First Unit on Scene Time: 1255
Under Control: 1343
Units Back in Quarters: 1600
Type Incident: Commercial Structure Fire (Contents)
Assigned Apparatus: C2, C4, K1, Engine 2, Ladder 2, Tower/Ladder 1, Tanker 1, Amb 1, Amb 2
Number of Keene Personnel Assigned: 20
Mutual Aid Units Assigned: Swanzey, Spofford, Jaffrey, Gilsum, Surry, Sullivan, Chesterfield, Brattleboro, Marlborough, Walpole, Bellows Falls, Hinsdale, Winchester, Cheshire County Ambulance, Rescue Inc.
Type Occupancy: Industrial (Transfer Station)
Type of Construction: Type II Non-Combustible
Building Owner: City of Keene
Injuries Reported: None
Summary of Incident:
At 12:47 PM, Fire Mutual Aid received simultaneous alarms and phone calls reporting a fire in the building at 55 Old Summit Road (the Keene Transfer Station). Box 9122-1 was transmitted for Car 4, Engine 2, Ladder 2, Tanker 1, Amb 1, Amb 2, Car 2, for a Commercial Structure Fire. While responding to the scene the companies were receiving credible reports of fire in the Transfer Station building. The Shift Commander requested the full balance of Box 9122-1, bringing mutual aid to the scene and cover assignments to the Keene Fire Stations. This fire is outside of the section of the city protected by Fire Hydrants which triggers the dispatch of additional tanker units to the scene for water supply.
Upon arrival of Ladder 2, heavy fire in the building was reported – possibly involving heavy machinery. Initial crews were deployed with hose lines to contain the fire to the area of origin and protect any adjacent machinery. Secondary units provided water supply and conducted a search of the building ensuring that all occupants had evacuated and confirmed that the fire was not extending outside of the transfer station or into the rest of the structure.
Crews used the onsite water cistern and mutual aid tankers to extinguish the fire within the building. Heavy equipment from the transfer station was utilized to move the debris out of the structure and ensure extinguishment. Initial knock down of the fire was achieved quickly with an aggressive interior attack, though extended mop up lengthened the on-scene times of responding units.
The quick discovery of the fire, as well as quick notification to the Fire Department played a significant part in limiting fire damage. The Keene Fire Department would like to thank mutual aid partners, the Keene Police Department, Fire Mutual Aid Dispatchers, and Transfer Station personnel for their assistance.
Estimated Property Loss: There are no current estimates of property loss. The primary fuel in the fire was waste materials, and there was no involvement of the structure.
Fire Origin and Cause: An investigation is being conducted by the Keene Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office. Any questions related to the origin or cause should be referred to
Fire-marshal@keenenh.gov
For further information contact:
Jason Martin, Fire Chief – jmartin@keenenh.gov
Gregory Seymour, Deputy Fire Chief – gseymour@keenenh.gov
