Firefighters Knock Down Second-Alarm Fire

Firefighters from three area communities extinguished a fire at a seven-unit condominium complex in Portsmouth Wednesday night. Only one of the units was occupied at the time. 

Portsmouth firefighters received a 911 phone call at 8:49 p.m., reporting a kitchen fire at 27 Lawton Brook Road. 

"Because of the fire extending up to the second floor, they struck a second alarm," said Portsmouth Fire Deputy Chief Michael O'Brien. "The fire was quickly knocked down." 

Crews from the Middletown and Bristol Fire Departments were called to the scene to assist. 

"We have high levels of carbon monoxide in all of the units at this time," O'Brien said. "We're going through and ventilating all of the structures." 

Fire crews ventilated all seven units of the complex. 

Only one condo unit was inhabited at the time of the fire. A man and a woman were in one condo and safely got out. No injuries were reported. 

The family is reportedly staying with family tonight. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but appears to have started in the kitchen. "It seems to be a cooking mishap," O'Brien said. 

National Grid was also called to the scene.