A husband and wife were killed in a three-alarm fire Sunday afternoon on West Salisbury Road in Salisbury, state fire investigators said Monday.
Eaton Clapp, 73, and his wife, 70-year-old Nancy Clapp, were found dead in their home at 516 West Salisbury Road, State Fire Marshal Paul J. Parisi and Salisbury Fire Chief William MacDuffie Jr. announced. Officials identified the victims publicly Monday afternoon following autopsies at Concord Hospital.
The New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the deaths accidental and said the Clapps died due to smoke inhalation injuries.
The cause of the fire that significantly damaged the residence and an attached barn remains under investigation by the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office and the Salisbury Fire Department.
A 911 caller reported the fire Sunday at about 1:30 p.m. Officials said Salisbury firefighters initially encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence and requested mutual aid. Multiple departments from across the region responded to the call, which was quickly upgraded to a third alarm.
A firefighter from one of those assisting agencies suffered minor injuries battling the blaze, state fire investigators said. He was evaluated at Concord Hospital and released Sunday.
Interim Concord Fire Chief Guy Newbery said the firefighter was injured when he fell through a portion of the home’s roof, which was compromised in the blaze. He said the first responder was taken by Penacook Rescue to the hospital.
Soon after, the Concord Fire Department – which already had an engine and ambulance on scene – responded with a ladder truck, which allowed for better aerial access from a safer distance, Newbery said.
Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours Sunday night.
A message has been left with MacDuffie seeking more information about Salisbury fire’s response.
Parisi is urging homeowners to maintain working smoke alarms in their homes, keep exits clear of debris, have heating systems inspected and maintained on an annual basis and to keep at least a three- to five-foot clearance around any heating applia nce from other combustible materials.