Deerfield woman believed to be victim of fatal fire that began with explosion

DEERFIELD - State Police and the Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a fatal residential fire in Deerfield on Monday.

Deerfield Fire responded a little before 9 p.m. to 201 Nottingham Road for a report of a fully involved residential fire that began with an explosiong, according to a witness.

Soon after firefighters began battling the blaze they were told that an adult female lived in the home, prompting a frantic search during which she was not located.

A second alarm was later declared and mutual aid assistance was requested, drawing firefighters from Lee, Strafford, Durham, Barrington among other towns.

Once the fire was knocked down around 3 a.m. a search of the home led to the adult females's body being found on a porch. The victim, who investigators believe is a resident of the home, will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to verify their identity and confirm the cause and manner of death. Two dogs were also died in the blaze.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the Deerfield Fire Department are actively investigating the origin and cause of the fire. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office at (603) 223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.