Crime & Safety
Police Officer Spots Fire In Manchester; 8 People Rescued Safely
Eight occupants escape safely from a burning building on Auburn St after police officers and firefighters wake them, one firefighter injured
MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Sergeant Michael Lavallee on routine patrol Tuesday spotted heavy fire coming from a multi-family building on Auburn Street.
Manchester police said additional Manchester police officers assisted in evacuating the building. The officers included Officer Justin Gaudreault , Officer Patrick Colburn and Lt. Robert Bellenoit. Residents were awoken and evacuated through the front door. The rear stairwell was already impassable as it was engulfed in flames.
Manchester fire arrived at the scene at 1:20 a.m. with heavy fire coming from the top two floors in the rear of the building. Firefighters assisted police in evacuating 6 adults and 2 children.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A third-floor tenant originally believed to still be in the building was later found safe and had exited the building on their own.
A second alarm was requested bringing additional apparatus and personnel to the scene as well as firefighters. Other municipalities including Nashua, Goffstown, and Londonderry provided mutual aid to cover Manchester fire stations.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fire crews were faced with several challenges including very close adjacent buildings, multiple live power lines, several layers of shingles, and several vehicles parked around the house.
The fire quickly extended from the rear of the building into the top two floors and attic of the three-story building.
Firefighters, using three aerial trucks, worked to protect the adjacent houses and cut ventilation holes in the roof of the fire building.
The fire was brought under control in about one hour, however, crews will remain on the scene for several hours extinguishing small fires extending into the walls and ceilings.
MFD District Chief Ryan Cashin said one firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene of the fire by an AMR ambulance crew.
The fire is being investigated by the Manchester Fire Marshals Office, and at this time the cause and origin is unknown.
©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news
