KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) — Three firefighters were rescued after becoming trapped inside a burning three-unit home during a fire early Thursday morning at 20 Elliot Street, according to the City of Keene Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched at 8:10 a.m. for a reported residential structure fire. When the first units arrived, they found heavy flames engulfing the first-floor porch and extending into the second floor and attic of the 3,606-square-foot building, which was built in 1885. No residents were found outside to meet firefighters upon arrival.

As conditions worsened, command upgraded the call to a working structure fire, summoning additional mutual aid from departments in Swanzey, Jaffrey, Brattleboro, and Walpole. A second alarm was struck shortly afterward.

Firefighters from Ambulance 4 and Engine 1 were conducting a primary search of an adjacent apartment when deteriorating fire conditions cut off their exit routes. A “Mayday” emergency was transmitted after the crews became trapped by flames spreading through the first-floor stairwell and second-floor apartment.

Two firefighters were able to isolate themselves in separate rooms and escape through exterior windows, where they were rescued using ground ladders. A third firefighter was found and rescued from a second-floor hallway by personnel from Ladder 2 and Engine 2.

Following the rescues, all three firefighters were treated at the scene and transported to Cheshire Medical Center for further evaluation. During Thursday’s City Council meeting City Manager Elizabeth Ferland said the firefighters sustained burn injuries, and one suffered smoke inhalation.

A fourth firefighter was also taken to the hospital for unrelated injuries. All have since been released.

Crews continued to battle the fast-moving blaze, which was fueled by high winds and the building’s balloon-frame construction that allowed fire to spread rapidly through walls and floors. Despite the challenges, firefighters completed multiple searches of the structure and confirmed that no occupants were home at the time.

Keene Police, Eversource, and Keene Public Works assisted at the scene. The Fire Department also thanked Fire Mutual Aid dispatchers, Alpine Healthcare Center, Keene State College, and local businesses for their support during the incident.

The fire destroyed the building and its contents, with losses estimated at approximately $700,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Keene Fire Marshal’s Office and the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at fire-marshal@keenenh.gov.