Rochester Firefighters Battle Second-Alarm House Fire on Chesley Hill Road

August 17, 2026 — by Scanner Alerts Media

Rochester, New Hampshire

A Sunday afternoon fire caused extensive damage to a home on Chesley Hill Road in Rochester, displacing two residents. Firefighters also rescued the family’s dog from inside the home, and no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Key Points

• Date/Time: Sunday, August 16, 2026, at approximately 2:36 p.m.

• Location: 260 Chesley Hill Road, Rochester

• Incident: Residential structure fire

• Alarm: Second alarm

• Conditions: Front porch fully involved with fire extending into the residence and eaves

• Residents displaced: Two

• Injuries: None reported

• Animal rescue: Family dog rescued from inside the home

• Area of origin: Front porch

• Cause: Undetermined

Fire Reported by Passing Motorist

According to the Rochester Fire Department, a Good Samaritan stopped at the Gonic Fire Station at approximately 2:36 p.m. Sunday to report a house fire on Chesley Hill Road. Around the same time, Rochester Communications received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 260 Chesley Hill Road.

Engine 4 and Truck 6 arrived approximately three minutes later and found the front porch fully involved in fire, with flames extending up the exterior of the home and into the eaves.

A box alarm was immediately requested, bringing first-alarm mutual aid companies to the scene.

Electrical Hazard Complicates Fire Attack

After completing an initial 360-degree size-up, the first-arriving engine company lieutenant determined the fire had extended into the residence.

Shortly into the initial attack, crews encountered an additional hazard when an electrical service line burned off the building and fell onto the initial attack hose lines.

Due to the live electrical lines, firefighters were forced to redeploy hose lines from Truck 6 and adjust their fire attack.

The shift commander arrived and assumed command. Based on the fire conditions and challenges presented by the downed, energized power lines, a second alarm was requested for additional personnel and apparatus.

Dog Rescued During Search

Firefighters conducted an interior fire attack while additional crews performed a primary search of the residence.

During the search, firefighters located the family’s dog inside the home. The dog was rescued, and firefighters administered oxygen before the animal was transported to a local veterinary facility for additional treatment.

The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:15 p.m. Crews remained at the scene conducting overhaul operations and checking the building for remaining fire.

Two Residents Displaced

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

The home was determined to be uninhabitable, displacing two residents. The American Red Cross was notified to assist them.

Mutual Aid Response

Mutual aid at the scene was provided by the Dover, Somersworth, Farmington, Milton and Barrington fire departments.

Station coverage was provided by the Newington, Berwick, Lebanon and Lee fire departments. While Rochester crews remained committed to the structure fire, mutual aid companies covering both Rochester stations responded to three additional calls for service within the city.

Cause Remains Undetermined

The Rochester Fire Department investigated the fire and determined the area of origin was the front porch. The cause remains undetermined.

Credit: Rochester Fire Department