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New Hampshire Lumber Yard Fire Causes Millions In Damages

KINGSTON, N.H. (CBS) -- Fire crews in Kingston, New Hampshire were still dealing with hot spots Saturday afternoon, several hours after flames broke out at a huge lumber yard.

The fire at Northland Forest Products started around 1 a.m. and spread to multiple buildings. Nearly 50 firefighters from about 20 towns rushed to the scene.

Daylight revealed heavy damage and a smoldering pile of rubble.

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Fire still smoldering Saturday at Northland Forest Products in Kingston (WBZ)

"Three of the six buildings that ended up burning were fully involved. Flames were probably fifty feet, sixty feet into the air," Kingston Fire Capt. Graham Pellerin said.

When engine companies first arrived, they had more concerns than just the flames – specifically, two 1,000-gallon liquid propane tanks. Luckily, the fire didn't spread further.

Neighbors Paul and Vivianne Cote live right next to the fire scene and saw flames rise "way up over the trees."

"Unbelievable, it was absolutely a huge ball of fire," Vivianne Cote said. "It was just over the trees and every once in a while you would hear 'boom' 'boom' and then it would go right up in the sky."

Most of the lumber yard was saved, but authorities say damage is in the millions of dollars.

One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and released.

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