On a frigid Saturday morning in Milton, New Hampshire, a peaceful home on 285 Willey Road turned into the site of tragedy when a blaze consumed the house and claimed the life of 70-year-old Lenda A. Jennings-Routier.
Fire crews were dispatched around 8:45 a.m. after a 911 call came in from inside the home — the caller made it out, but reported another occupant was trapped. When firefighters finally reached the house, heavy smoke and flames greeted them; the two-story structure was fully engulfed.
Access to the home proved treacherous. The quarter-mile driveway was buried under snow, and additional cars and equipment blocked the way. One fire truck slid off partway; crews then had to hike on foot up the hill, carrying hose and water supply lines by hand.
As firefighters prepared to go inside, the house’s second floor collapsed — a collapse that made entry too dangerous. Once the flames were extinguished, they discovered Jennings-Routier’s body inside.
Later, the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity and ruled her death an accidental one, caused by smoke inhalation.
A joint investigation involving the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Milton Fire Department, and local police is underway. Investigators continue working to determine the fire’s origin and cause. Officials have urged anyone with information to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office.
In the midst of the heartbreak, fire officials offered a grim reminder: when snow, ice, or other winter obstacles block driveways, they can hinder emergency responders — even delay or prevent rescue. Clearing access pathways can make all the difference.
The loss of Lenda A. Jennings-Routier is a sorrowful call for vigilance — for clear driveways, functioning smoke alarms, and swift action at the first sign of fire. It’s a tragic moment that underscores how quickly safety can be stripped away, even in what should be the safety of one’s own home.
