DALTON, N.H. — A 30-year-old Dalton man has been charged after authorities say he stole a rescue truck from firefighters working to extinguish a house fire, drove over active hoses, struck a fire engine and narrowly missed several crew members before fleeing and crashing several miles away.
Early-morning response turns chaotic
New Hampshire State Police said troopers were called around 3:50 a.m. Tuesday to assist Dalton Fire & Rescue at a fully involved structure fire near Faraway Road and Mountain Road. Multiple neighboring departments had been dispatched to the scene as mutual aid when officials learned a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle had been taken from the incident.
The man, identified by authorities as Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton, allegedly entered the department's F-550 rescue truck and drove away shortly before 5 a.m., the fire department said. As crews fought the blaze, they reported that the stolen vehicle was driven around Whitefield’s E3 fire engine, narrowly missing two firefighters and nearly striking a third.
Fire officials said the Dalton home was a "complete loss."
Collision, hoses damaged and multi-agency response
State police reported the stolen rescue truck later crashed several miles from the burning home. In addition to striking the fire engine, the driver reportedly ran over active hose lines at the scene. Authorities said the vehicle also collided with another fire apparatus during the incident.
Local fire departments and state troopers worked together at the scene; the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office has opened an investigation into the cause of the house fire, and Dalton Fire & Rescue described the residence as being destroyed in the blaze.
Charges and ongoing inquiries
Roman faces multiple charges, according to state police. Officials have not released a full list of the charges publicly. Investigators are continuing to piece together the timeline and to determine whether additional accusations will be filed as the State Fire Marshal’s Office completes its probe of the fire’s origin.
- Incident time: Troopers dispatched about 3:50 a.m.; truck taken shortly before 5 a.m.
- Vehicle involved: Whitefield Fire & Rescue F-550 rescue truck
- Location: Structure fire near Faraway Road and Mountain Road, Dalton
Safety and operational impacts for fire crews
Fire departments rely on clear access, intact equipment and unimpeded hose lines during structure fires. Officials said the stolen vehicle’s path through the scene — including driving over charged hoses and close calls with firefighters — created risks that could have led to further injuries or interrupted suppression efforts.
Mutual aid responders from neighboring towns had been on scene to support firefighting operations; the theft and subsequent crashes complicated the incident response and added an investigatory component for law enforcement agencies already engaged in the fire investigation.
What officials say and what’s next
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting its inquiry into how the fire began and will share findings when complete. State police are handling the criminal side of the case and will forward charging information through the judicial process.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Nestor Roman II, 30, Dalton |
| Apparatus taken | Whitefield Fire & Rescue F-550 rescue truck |
| Fire investigation | New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office |
As investigators complete their work, community members and officials will be watching for updates about the fire’s cause and any additional charges tied to the reported theft and endangerment of emergency personnel. The incident highlights risks first responders can face not only from fires themselves but from unexpected interference at active emergency scenes.
State police did not immediately release further details about the extent of the injuries — if any — to firefighters or other responders, nor did they provide a complete list of charges. Dalton Fire & Rescue confirmed the house was a total loss and urged residents to follow official updates for safety information.
Authorities ask anyone with information about the incident or who witnessed activity near Faraway Road and Mountain Road early Tuesday morning to contact New Hampshire State Police.
