Firefighters were dispatched at 5:42 p.m. to a 9 Woodland Drive for a report of a structure fire.
Crews had heavy fire showing on arrival, and a second alarm response was requested. Firefighters were quickly aware that they were battling a fire at the home of their own fire chief, but the professionalism and training of the Kingston firefighters and their mutual aid partners quickly kicked in.
Chief Warren, from nearby East Kingston, took command of scene to allow Chief Pellerin to focus on his family and personal affairs. No one was injured.
Chief Warren praised the firefighters at the scene for their hard work.
“This is a personal battle. Chief Pellerin is family. We were fighting to save the home of one of our own tonight, and the firefighters performed admirably under difficult circumstances,” Chief Warren said. “What matters most is that Chief Pellerin and his family were not hurt.”
The aggressive work of the firefighters, including numerous call and volunteer fire departments sending mutual aid, saved the home. The home will need extensive repairs, however, and the Pellerin family has made arrangements to stay with relatives at this time.
Fire crews from Kingston, East Kingston, Brentwood, Plaistow, Hampstead, Exeter, Epping, Danville, Newton, Raymond, Sandown, and Lee all responded on Sunday.
Fire associations, including the Seacoast Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid District are in the early phases of an effort to raise funds to support the Pellerin family during this difficult time. Additional details will be announced as soon as they are available.
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation.
This press release, and any subsequent communications services are being provided by JGPR free of charge to the Kingston Fire Department.
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