Firefighters responding to a first-alarm structure fire in Gunstock Acres were called off before arriving at the scene when local firefighters extinguished and had the fire under control just before midnight on Tuesday.

The Gilford Fire Department was called to the residence at 88 Chestnut Drive when one of the home's occupants called at 11:22 p.m.

Fire Chief Jim Hayes said occupants became aware of the fire after hearing an unusual sound coming from the upper portion of the house. Embers were falling from inside the chimney.

"The fire was actually burning without the occupants being aware of it," Hayes said.

The first units that arrived on the scene within six minutes saw flames coming from the roof. When firefighters went into the building, there were no visible flames.

"We went to a first alarm as a precautionary measure," Hayes said. "The initial crews worked to open up the attic space to find the source of the fire."

Hayes said firefighters were able to knock the fire down within 15 minutes and were able to cancel the first-alarm response before re-enforcements arrived on the scene. Fire crews remained on the scene until about 1 a.m., working to secure the building and to make sure it was not exposed to the elements.

"Between fixing the damage and cleaning, I'd say it's close to $40,000 in damage," Hayes said.

The fire is believed to have started around the chimney when a wooden assembly around a metal manufactured chimney caught fire after overheating from the use of the woodstove.

Hayes said there was inadequate space between the metal manufactured chimney and the wooden assembly designed to conceal the piping.

The blaze started to extend to the roof but firefighters were able to keep it from spreading.

Hayes said, "It was having combustibles too close to a heat source which was the ultimate cause" of the fire.

Inside the house were four occupants: Two adults and two children.

The American Red Cross was not contacted, as Hayes said the family had made arrangements to stay with other family members in the area.

Gilford was assisted by Laconia during the fire. Other companies responding to the first alarm were Alton, Meredith, Belmont and Tilton-Northfield, but all were called off before arriving on the scene.

No injuries were reported.