HAMPTON — A fire displaced four residents Wednesday morning and seriously damaged their duplex apartment building, town fire officials said.
Firefighters responded at approximately 7 a.m. at 9 Johnson Ave., where two residents in each of the two units there escaped without injury, according to Fire Chief Jameson Ayotte. All four were given shelter and other necessities by the American Red Cross.
The fire never reached the level of a first alarm, he said, but resulted in fire, smoke and water damage and took the life of one of the resident's pet snake. He said a pet turtle and fish were rescued from the fire, and Red Cross officials said the pets are also being given shelter with their owners.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing from the building and fire coming from a front door, then knocked the fire down within 30 minutes, according to Ayotte. He said it could be some time before the home is repaired enough for the residents to return.
Ayotte said the cause of the fire is under investigation but it is believed to have begun in the apartment at 9 Johnson Ave., then may have traveled through a common attic to the other apartment with an address of 9A Johnson Ave.