PORTSMOUTH — A 73-year-old Union Street man who wandered from his home early last Thursday morning was found safe in the Redwood Farms area less than three hours later.

The man, who has a history of dementia and was possibly confused, had been last seen at 4:30 a.m. Thursday in the area of 844 Union St. and the Portsmouth Fire Department was alerted at 5:24 a.m.

Fire Chief Michael Cranson and Deputy Chief Michael O’Brien responded to the scene along with two rescue trucks and an engine. They collected information from the family and established a command post at the corner of Union Street and Jepson Lane along with police.

Search teams from Portsmouth and Middletown scoured the area near the school, St. Mary’s Pond, the town line and West Main Road, starting at the man’s home and gradually widening the perimeter.

The Fire Department posted a picture and description of the man on Twitter around 6:45 a.m.

At 7:01 a.m., the man was found in the Redwood Farms neighborhood by Lt. Norman Moore and firefighter Tim Gumkowski. Firefighters initiated medical care and transported the patient to Newport Hospital for further evaluation.

“I am extremely pleased with this outcome,” said Chief Cranson. “I am glad the individual was located before any harm could come to him. I am very proud of the coordinated and professional response of all Portsmouth responders.”