KINGSTON, N.H. — Fire investigators were at the Woodland Drive home of Kingston Fire Chief Graham Pellerin on Monday. A preliminary determination has been made that the damage to the home was an accidental electrical fire.

Chief Pellerin, his wife, son and dogs are currently staying with friends. Extensive repair work will be needed to make the home habitable once again.

Area fire chiefs are organizing a donation effort to support Chief Pellerin and his family. Donations may be made in the name of Chief Graham Pellerin and should be mailed to:

Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District
P.O. Box 1288
Hampton, NH 03843

No one was hurt in the fire that broke out shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Fire crews from 12 communities answered the call.

“I am overwhelmed by the amount of support my family has received over the past 24 hours. It truly means everything to us,” Chief Pellerin said. “I am used to fighting fires, but I have never been in the role of property owner, dealing with the aftermath of insurance claims and sudden relocation. It has certainly given me new perspective on the job.”

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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KINGSTON, N.H. — East Kingston Fire Chief Ed Warren, serving as the incident commander, reports that fire crews from multiple communities battled a blaze that caused serious damage to the family home of Kingston Fire Chief Graham Pellerin on Sunday evening.

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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