New fire marshal has Nashua ties

CONCORD – A Nashua native was sworn in as the state’s top fire official Friday.

J. William Degnan was sworn in as state fire marshal at an afternoon ceremony at the New Hampshire State Fire Academy, Nashua Fire Inspector Rick Wood said.

Degnan, who had been the acting fire marshal, replaces Don Bliss, who resigned last November to head the Center for Infrastructure Expertise in Portsmouth.

Safety Commissioner Dick Flynn swore Degnan in at the formal ceremony.

Degnan, who grew up on Arlington Street in Nashua, now lives in Amherst with his wife, Sandra Degnan.