BARNSTEAD, NH - A 72-year-old woman was found dead inside a home in Barnstead that was destroyed by fire early Monday morning, March 13th.

Lakes Region Fire Mutual Aid dispatchers alerted Barnstead fire with automatic mutual aid to the area of Varney Road for a house on fire at 3:24 A.M. Barnstead Deputy Chief Bartells arrived within minutes to find a house at 139 Varney Road fully involved in fire.

A car was in the driveway, but because the house had already collapsed in on itself, it was too dangerous to enter the structure to seach for anyone. After the fire was under control around 5:09 A.M., firefighters were able to enter the house and conduct a search where they found the victim in one of the bedrooms.

Mutual aid was brought in from Epsom, Alton, Gilmanton, Pittsfield and Farmington. The NH State Fire Marshal's office responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.