Victim Of Residential Fire In Rumney Identified

Update #1 - 12:50 p.m., March 14, 2025

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the victim as Lawrence Boak, 77, of Rumney. Boak’s cause and manner of death remain pending. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.

Initial News Release - 9:43 a.m., March 13, 2025

RUMNEY, N.H. – New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, Rumney Fire Chief Evan Hacker, and Rumney Police Chief Gregory Patten announce a joint investigation is underway after an early morning residential fire. One person is deceased. 

At 2:25 a.m. today, Thursday, March 13, 2025, members of the Rumney Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a single-family home on Main Street in Rumney. When the initial crews arrived, they saw widespread flames and attempted a search of the home but were pushed back by deteriorating conditions.

Assistance was requested and additional firefighters from the communities of Wentworth, Plymouth, Campton-Thornton, Ashland, New Hampton, Hebron, Canaan, Haverhill, Holderness, Waterville Valley, Center Harbor, Bridgewater, and Bristol responded. Members of the Rumney Police Department and Warren-Wentworth Ambulance also responded to the scene to assist. The fire was later determined to be under control at 5:09 a.m. 

One person has been located deceased inside the home. The victim will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to verify their identity and confirm their cause and manner of death.

No firefighters were injured.

Members of the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office and Rumney Fire Department are actively investigating the origin and cause of the fire. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at (603) 223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov. 

No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided as appropriate.