Robin's Nest May Have Sparked Hudson House Fire

Hudson Fire officials are investigating the cause of a three-alarm fire at 39 B Street that displaced a Hudson family early Monday morning.

Initial investigation indicated the fire may have started after combustible material from a robin's nest that was built on top of a motion-sensing light may have ignited and spread to the attic.

Homeowners Merilyn and Karrie Carnes woke just before 2:30 a.m. when smoke alarms alerted them to the fire. They called 911 and evacuated the home. Upon arrival, Hudson Engine 2 found smoke from the one-story ranch style home, with fire and smoke pouring from the attic. Fire had already burned through the roof of the home. 

A Nashua Engine was called for a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) and Ladder because Hudson’s ladder is not in service at this time. A Londonderry Engine and Litchfield Engine responded to cover empty Hudson fire stations.

The home has been turned over to the owners who are working with their insurance company to clean and board-up their property. The occupants will not be able to live in the home until it is cleaned, the electrical system has been inspected and circuits are disconnected that were in the fire area and the roof has been fixed where the fire buned through it.

Hudson fire officials said the home owners turned the sensor light off after noticing the fire. They told fire officials they had noticed a robin had built a nest on top of the light. Fire officials said ordinary combustibles that birds use to make nests can dry out and ignite at relatively ow temperatures. 

At this time the cause of the fire remains officially undetermined, but most likely was caused by the nest. After the fire started, smoke and fire got into the attic through a soffit and may have been accellerated by an attic fan in that space.

About one-eighth of the roof was burned off with ceiling damage in the kitchen and living room, with smoke and water damage throughout the main floor and basement, Hudson fire officials said. 

Fire officials also emphasize that a working smoke alarm can make the difference in overnight fires, waking a family to danger in time to safely exit the home, as was the case in this incident.