72-Year-Old Woman Perishes In Barnstead House Fire On Varney Road

BARNSTEAD, NH — Barnstead firefighters and mutual aid towns responded to a fire at 139 Varney Road at 3:23 a.m. where a woman persisted in the fire Monday.

When responders arrived, the single-family home was fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters located a woman who perished in the fire.

An autopsy was conducted by the New Hampshire State Medical Examiner’s Office on the 72-year-old victim. New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said the victim was identified as Frances Barrett of Barnstead. The cause and manner of death are pending additional tests.

The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is active and ongoing by members of the Fire Marshal’s Office, Barnstead fire and police departments.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or email FMO@dos.nh.gov

Authorities remind everyone to maintain working smoke alarms in their homes and keep exits clear of debris. In the event of an alarm activation, visible smoke or fire, immediately exit the building and call 9-1-1.