A police officer was shot dead while responding to a domestic argument at a New Hampshire home on Monday, moments before the house burst into flames and exploded.
Brentwood police officer Steve Arkell arrived at the home, located in a 55-plus suburban community, at around 4 p.m. in response to a domestic disturbance, the Boston Herald reported. Witnesses say they heard a series of shots after the officer entered the home, followed by other officers leaving the house as it broke out in flames and eventually exploded.
"When the cop walked into the house, we heard a whole bunch of gunfire," Susan Hughes, who lives next door, told the New Hampshire Union Leader. "It sounded kind of automatic- it was bam, bam, bam. There was a lot of rapid gunfire- not a shot here or there."
The gunman is believed to be 47-year-old Michael Nolan, who lived in the house with his grandfather Walter Nolan, 86. The grandson is believed to have died in the blaze. Witnesses say they saw Walter Nolan taken away by police in handcuffs, the Boston Herald reported.
Firefighters initially had to keep back from the house as it was consumed in flames, covering the neighborhood in black smoke, the Associated Press reported.
Then the house's foundation shook and its front was blown out after the explosion at around 5:30 p.m.
"Oh my God, the house just blew up," neighbor Pauline Raiche told the Boston Herald. "The whole thing is gone and the fire is awful."
It took hours for firefighters to subdue the blaze. Several residents were evacuated and were not allowed to return to their homes that night. It is not immediately clear what caused the fire and explosion.
Arkell, a 48-year-old part-time officer, leaves behind two daughters, the Boston Herald reported.
