Heroes of the Week: Rochester Fire Department Saves Dog from Burning Home

This week's heroes are the firefighters from the Rochester, NH Fire deparment who saved a family dog from a burning home and administered oxygen. The dog happily recovered.

(Photo: Rochester Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Chesly Hill Road on Sunday. Aug. 16, 2026. Credit:  Rochester Fire Department ) 

Dog rescued from two-alarm house fire in Rochester, NH

Fosters Daily Democrat, Staff ReportUpdated Aug. 17, 2026, 3:45 p.m. ET

ROCHESTER, New Hampshire — Firefighters responded to a structure fire on Chesley Hill Road on Sunday, Aug. 16, one complicated by downed power lines.

At approximately 2:36 p.m., a good Samaritan stopped at the Gonic Fire Station to report a house on fire on Chesley Hill Road, the Fire Department reported in a press release. At about the same time, a 911 call was received reporting a fire at 260 Chesley Hill Road.

Engine 4 and truck 6 arrived on scene approximately three minutes later and found the front porch of the residence fully involved with fire, with flames extending up the exterior of the house and into the eaves. A box alarm was immediately requested, bringing first-alarm mutual aid companies to the scene.

After completing an initial 360-degree size-up, the first arriving engine company lieutenant determined that the fire had extended into the residence, the Fire Department reported. Shortly into the initial fire attack, crews encountered an additional hazard when an electric service line burned off the building and fell into the initial attack hose lines. Due to live electrical lines, crews were forced to redeploy hose lines from truck 6 and adjust their fire attack.

The shift commander arrived on scene and assumed command. Based on the fire conditions and the challenges presented by the downed, energized power lines, a second alarm was requested, bringing additional personnel and apparatus to the scene.

Firefighters conducted an interior fire attack while additional crews performed a primary search of the residence. During the search, firefighters said they located the family's dog inside the home. The dog was rescued and brought to safety, where firefighters administered oxygen. The dog was later transported to a local veterinary facility for additional treatment.

The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:15 p.m. Crews remained on scene conducting overhaul operations and checking the building for any remaining fire.

There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters as a result of the incident. The home was determined to be uninhabitable, displacing two residents. The American Red Cross was notified to assist the displaced residents.

Mutual aid assistance at the scene was provided by Dover, Somersworth, Farmington, Milton, and Barrington Fire Departments. Station coverage was provided by Newington, Berwick, Lebanon, and Lee Fire Departments. While Rochester crews were committed to the structure fire, mutual aid companies covering both Rochester stations responded to three additional calls for service within the city.

The fire was investigated by the Rochester Fire Department. The area of origin was determined to be the front porch; however the cause of the fire remains undetermined.