5 Manchester Firefighters Injured At 2-Alarm Fire, Multiple Pets Saved

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Fire Department received several reports of a building fire at 317 and 319 Pearl St. in Manchester on Friday.

The first arriving units reported heavy fire, smoke, and reports from bystanders that numerous kids were still in the building on the upper floors. Fire crews immediately entered the building to search for occupants and begin to suppress the fire.

A second alarm was requested, bringing additional personnel and apparatus to the scene and mutual aid towns and cities to provide station coverage.

The residence appears to be a two-unit duplex that contains three illegal bedrooms — including one in the two different basements, according to Battalion Chief Robert Beaudet.

Battalion Chief Beudet said there were no working smoke detectors on either side of the duplex.
Manchester Fire said the fire appears to have started in the attic of 317 Pearl Street. Most of the fire damage was contained to the third floor and attic/storage spaces on both sides of the duplex.

Heavy water damage was sustained to all levels on both sides of the duplex. A total of 10 residents lived in the building. Five of the six cats and a giant lizard were located by search crews and safely returned to their owners.

Firefighters successfully protected adjacent buildings, which were in very close proximity.

The fire is under investigation by the Manchester Fire Marshals Office. There is no information on the source or origin, but it appears to be accidental.

Three firefighters suffered minor burns and two had minor injuries while performing ladder operations.

Beaudet said heavy smoke, high heat, limited visibility within the fire building, and limited access to illegal apartments presented challenges to fire crews.

EMS transported no residents from the scene and AMR Ambulance remained there until the fire was extinguished.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news