1 Tenant Dies, Firefighters And Others Injured At Manchester Fire

MANCHESTER, NH — The NH State Fire Marshals, Manchester Fire Marshals, and Manchester Police Detectives have returned to the scene of a fatal fire at 8-10 Dutton St.

Firefighters were dispatched just after 6 p.m. on Saturday to a reported structure fire. While en route, responding units were advised of multiple reports of heavy fire with people trapped in the building. Firefighters arrived to heavy fire coming from the front right side of the building as well as in the rear of the building.

Tenants trapped in the building could be heard yelling from the second and third floors.

Firefighters using ground-level ladders were advised to go to rescue mode, and a second alarm was sounded. They placed a ladder in the front of the building, rescuing a small child from a third-floor window and bringing them to safety.

Crews in the rear of the building using ladders began rescuing several people from the third-floor porches and bringing them to safety. Crew members from Engine 11 were on a ladder and attempting to rescue a woman when the fire “flashed” causing intense fire and extreme heat.

After rescuing a man, Capt. DesRuisseaux became engulfed in flames during a flashover. He attempted to bail from the second-floor porch, and in the process, his self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) strap got caught on the ladder trapping him. Lt. Scott Brassard climbed the ladder to assist in freeing Captain DesRuisseaux. Truck 1 Firefighter Joshua Charpentier, quickly assessed heavy fire coming from the second floor and made the decision to knock the ladder away from the building to prevent further injury to DesRuisseaux.

As a result of the 10-15 foot fall, Brassard sprained his ankle, however continued to work for the duration of the incident, seeking medical treatment after the fact. DesRuisseaux was transported by AMR to Elliot Hospital and then transported by UMass Memorial Lifeflight to Massachusetts General Hospital. DesRuisseaux suffered second and third degree burns to approximately 35 to 40 percent of his body and is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.

In a statement from Manchester Fire Department they said:

“The actions of the crews last night went above and beyond the call of duty, and Captain DesRuisseaux’s efforts were nothing short of heroic. Captain DesRuisseaux’s actions led to the rescue of six people and is a true testament to Steve’s professionalism.” – Battalion Chief Flurey.

The City of Manchester Fire Department would like to thank the numerous agencies who assisted last night including Manchester Police Department, and the following fire departments: Allenstown, Auburn, Bedford, Concord, Derry, Hudson, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, Merrimack, and Nashua. A special thank you to the crews and staff at AMR, Elliot Hospital, UMass Memorial Lifeflight, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Local 718 Boston Firefighter’s Burn Foundation.

Firefighters continued to work to extinguish the fire and were on scene until just before midnight.

Sunday Investigators for the NH Fire Marshals Office, and Manchester fire and police investigators. Investigators appeared to be focusing many of their resources on the first-floor apartment on the right side of the building. Two accelerant detecting dogs from Manchester Fire, and the NH Fire Marshals Office searched the entire building inside and out.

A woman was unable to be rescued from one of the upper floors and persisted in the fire. The Office of NH Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy Sunday or Monday and determine the manner and cause of death. At this time her identity has not been released.

One man who was identified as the boyfriend of the victim killed in the fire was at the scene Sunday afternoon and was experiencing breathing issues, possibly related to smoke inhalation. An AMR ambulance was dispatched to the scene and transported to the hospital.

Saturday another man was transported for respiratory issues from the fire scene to the Elliot Hospital and later transferred to a Boston hospital.

Fire Investigators remained at the scene Sunday and continue to work on the investigation.

Listen to the audio of the fire dispatch and operation -

As additional information becomes available this article will be updated.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news