Crime & Safety
Firefighters Battled Heavy Fire While Rescuing Multiple People
A firefighter was burned in the fire and flown to Boston, 1 tenant died, 1 injured, and 6 people were rescued from the Dutton St. building.
MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester fire, police, and AMR ambulances responded to a large six-unit apartment building at 8 - 10 Dutton Street Saturday.
While firefighters were en route responding units could see fire shooting into the sky before they arrived. On their arrival, they had heavy fire and reports of several people trapped in the burning building.
A second alarm was requested and firefighters began putting up ground ladders to attempt to reach five people on the third floor who were trapped. While firefighters were making rescues the fire "flashed" and significantly burned one of the Manchester firefighters. An additional person was rescued from the second floor.
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The fire eventually went to three alarms at 6:21 p.m. and additional AMR ambulances were requested to the scene.
According to MFD Chief Andy Parent, one adult was unable to be rescued and perished in the fire. A tenant had respitory issues and was transported to a local hospital and then transfered to a Boston hospital.
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The firefighter had significant burns and was transported to the Elliot Hospital and then flown by a medical helicopter to a Boston hospital. Chief Parent said the burns were serious but he is expected to survive.
Several adults and children who were rescued from the building were evaluated at the scene by AMR medics.
Chief Parent said they immediatley had water supply issued when they arrived, and water supply had to be established from several blocks away. Also due to the amount of utility lines on the narrow street it initially delayed setting up ladder trucks.
Firefighters will remain at the scene throughout the night. A building to the right of the fire building had extensive exterior damage from the extreme heat.
The New Hampshire Fire Marshals Office, Manchester Fire Marshals Office and Manchester Police will be investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Mutual aid from Concord and Hooksett as well as other communities were sent to assist Manchester fire with coverage.
Bedford NH Patch will update this post when more information becomes available.
©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news
