LONDONDERRY - An early morning structure fire left a Mount Vernon Drive home with smoke and water damage today.
Londonderry Fire officials were notified of a building fire at 5 Mount Vernon Drive shortly after 7:30 a.m. and several Londonderry Fire engines arrived on the scene within minutes, according to Fire Captain Darren O'Brien.
Though the home's occupants had evacuated the building before emergency responders arrived, several pets remained inside the home and were unaccounted for, O'Brien said.
With smoke streaming from the home's windows, firefighters attacked the flame on the first floor of the home via the front entrance, as the back end of the home continued to burn.
Fire officials from both the Derry and Litchfield fire departments soon arrived on the scene, with water tanker trucks from both towns assisting in the efforts.
A short time later, the Windham Fire Department tanker arrived on the scene, while fire crews from several other towns provided station coverage in Londonderry.
One of the home's neighbors was reportedly treated for a severe dog bite that had apparently occurred during the incident, while one of the home's occupants was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
By 8 a.m., the fire had been extinguished and a Manchester Fire Department fire inspector was called in to help determine the cause of the blaze, which remained under investigation as of yesterday afternoon.
According to local assessment records, William and Jennifer Craigue own the two-story, split-level home, built in 1975.
Volunteers and staff from the local American Red Cross branch assisted firefighters and victims at the scene.
AGuilmet@newstote.com.