Peterborough Fire & Rescue Peterborough N.H. Press Release 08/04/04

On Tuesday the Peterborough area endured some of the strongest thunderstorms of the summer, offering a challenge to Peterborough Fire Rescue. In all, PFR responded to 13 calls between 4pm Tuesday and 8am Wednesday. A series of isolated storms moved into the region causing heavy rains, high winds, and lightening. These storms caused localized flooding, down limbs and power lines, and leaking roofs which wrecked havoc on fire alarm systems, utility poles, and residential basements.

The first call came in for a transformer fire on a utility pole near Mickey’s Repair on route 202 north. The Peterborough Police Department and PFR secured the scene and re-routed traffic via Sand Hill Road and Old Street Road as route 202 was closed for approximately 90 minutes. Traffic was further complicated when a tree was felled on Cheney Avenue, threatening more power lines. While PFR units were standing by at the transformer fire box alarms at ConVal and Millard Group were activated by the storm. At the same time, a resident on River Street called to report that several inches of water had flooded the main living floor of their residence. Mutual aid from Dublin was dispatched to help with the River Street call. Dublin was returned when it was determined that Peterborough units could handle the call. Peterborough Engine 1, Engine 2, and Ladder 1 were dispatched while Tanker 1 remained at the station to cover in case of further emergencies. In all approximately 20 firefighters responded to the calls.

The heavy activity continued long after the storms had passed. At approximately 6:30 pm PFR was again called to a tree in the road, this time on Old Street Road between route 101 and Cheney Avenue. Later in the evening, a box alarm at Summerhill Nursing Home was activated due to rain water leaking into a smoke detector. Early Wednesday morning, employees at Eastern Mountain Sports noticed that water had leaked into their alarm system as well, and called PFR for help. Virtually all of Peterborough was affected by the storms. Ironically to the south the town of Sharon, also covered by Peterborough Fire and Rescue services, experienced just light rain and no other effects of the storm.

With all of these storm-related emergency calls there were also 3 medical calls and one additional fire alarm activation that were unrelated to the storms, marking one of PFR’s busiest evenings in some time.

This series of calls provides an opportunity for Peterborough Fire Rescue to remind people of the dangers of electrical emergencies. The lines on the ground on route 202 carried as much as 20,000 volts, enough to kill someone instantly. For electrical calls, there is often not much PFR can do until Public Service arrives to cut the power. Peterborough Fire Chief was alarmed to see passers-by approaching the downed wires, seemingly unaware of the danger present. The primary job of the fire and rescue service in incidents such as this is to keep the area secure until public service repairs the damage. PFR reminds you that you should never approach downed power lines. One should never attempt to remove a limb or tree from power lines. Never approach a motor vehicle that has struck a utility pole. Never touch any broken lines or any malfunctioning electrically charged device until the fire department or Public Service deem it safe.