Ceiling Fan Malfunction Sparks Apartment Fire

Just before 2 a.m. fire crews were dispatched to a fire at 4 Eleventh St., Apt. 4 where residents had reported a fire. Eleventh Street is located near Ledge Street Elementary School.

Engine 2  from Lake Street Station, Engine 6  from Conant Road Station and Ladder 2  from Lake Street Station arrived to find that all residents had been alerted to the fire by smoke alarms and exited the building safely. AMR ambulance also responded to the call.

Fire was located in a second floor bathroom ceiling. 

Two adults and five children were displaced for the night, and were able to stay with neighbors. The building, owned by Nashua  Housing Authority, is being repaired.

Nashua Deputy Chief Karl Gerhard said trees and electrical wires near the building made make placement of the aerial ladder a challenge, but that there were no reported injuries and the fire was contained to the bathroom.

Gerhardt reports the cause of the fire was an overheated bathroom ceiling vent fan that was malfunctioning.  

Tips to help  avoid this type of fire:  make sure installation is to code/manufacturers instructions, do not run a ceiling fan continually, and be sure to clean the vent fan out of dust and lint on a regular basis.