Full Breakdown
Dalton Man Accused of Stealing Fire Truck Amid House Fire
8/27/2026, 7:52:42 PM
Incident Overview
Early Tuesday morning, firefighters from Dalton, Littleton, and Whitefield responded to a house fire at the intersection of Faraway Road and Mountain Road in Dalton, New Hampshire. While crews were battling the blaze, 30-year-old Nestor Roman II entered a Whitefield Fire-Rescue Department Ford F-550 rescue truck and drove it away. Roman struck another Whitefield engine, ran over water-supply lines, and narrowly missed three firefighters before crashing on a nearby property and attempting to enter the back of a residence.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
State police arrested Roman after a brief struggle and transferred him to the Coos County Jail. He faces three counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, four counts of conduct after an accident, felony theft by unauthorized taking, burglary, obstructing government administration, and resisting arrest. Roman is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in Lancaster District Court. The cause of the fire that destroyed his home remains under investigation.
Impact on Firefighters and Equipment
The Whitefield Engine 3 and Rescue 1 sustained “a great deal of damage,” according to the Whitefield Firefighters Association, though the damaged engine continued to fight the fire. Wooden fences at two properties were also damaged, and a homeowner’s porch was the site of Roman’s attempted entry. Despite the chaotic maneuvering, no firefighters were physically injured.
Official Statements & Responses
New Hampshire State Police Lt. Christopher Ladd told reporters that Roman stopped at a residence on Faraway Road, attempted to enter the back of the home, and was later taken into custody. Dalton Fire Rescue emphasized gratitude for the lack of injuries.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are extremely thankful that no firefighters were physically injured despite the close call,” — Dalton Fire Rescue, fire officials in Dalton
