Bradford Town Officials Recognize Several Heroes In 5-Alarm Fire

BRADFORD, NH - Two people were critically injured in an explosion and fire at a building on Route 114 in Bradford on Thursday.

Friday the town of Bradford in a statement recognized several heroes involved in the incident and what the heroes did.

As most are aware, there was a 5-alarm fire in the Town of Bradford yesterday. While the incident is still under investigation, the known facts are that there was an explosion at the school bus company on Route 114 which caused a structure fire. 2 mechanics were on site at the time of the explosion. 1 was able to run out of the building on his own and the other was pinned under heavy debris and unable to get himself out.

What most do not know is that 5 heroes went running into the fire to help. When the initial police officer arrived on scene, lots of cries for help could be heard from what sounded like inside the building.

Upon further investigation, several citizens came running from the side of the building yelling that someone was trapped and needed help. Two Bradford Police Officers, along with Jeff Sykes of Bradford, NH, Derek Sykes of Sutton, NH, Debra Dimond of Weare, NH, and Joshua Raney of Newport, NH went running in to help and try to free the man.

Small explosions were still going off yet these citizens were adamant that efforts continue until the man was freed. Several attempts were made to try and drag the man out but the weight of the debris and heat of the fire were too much. These four, along with Bradford PD, FF Biron of Sutton FD and Dave Camire of Bradford, NH (two more heroes who were passing by and stopped to help) continued efforts now using a chainsaw to cut the debris as the fire creeped closer to the trapped man. While one person was cutting, Diamond was manning a hose to suppress the fire while two others used 2x6's to pry the debris and two others dragged the man out.

First responders sign up for a job knowing that one day you may need to risk it all for someone else. Sykes, Sykes, Diamond, Raney and Camire could have easily just passed by on their way minding their own daily business but yesterday was not that day. These heroes deserve to be recognized for their actions. There is no doubt that if not for them, the male victim would not have been freed and saved. The picture above was taken around the time of the save, just to put into perspective what these individuals did.

Bradford PD would also like to thank all the first responders who were on scene assisting whether it was medical, fire, traffic or command. Everyone had a job to do and everyone did it with courage and bravery. Also assisting on scene were Bradford Highway Dept, Valley Excavating and Bradford resident Christopher Aiken.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the two men injured in the fire and their families and friends.

Student Transportation of America who provides buses for the Kearsage Regional School District was the company that occupied the building.

Two company employees who were performing a state-required inspection on a school bus at the time suffered significant burns. They were transported to Concord Hospital and then taken via medical helicopter to Boston-area hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

The cause of the explosion has not been determined. The company, out of an abundance of caution, is removing the District’s propane buses from service until the Fire Marshal’s investigation is completed.

In a statement from the Kearsage Regional School District, they said: "The District and company will be meeting throughout the weekend to coordinate a plan to ensure all students will be safely transported to school on Monday morning when they return from winter break.

The Kearsarge Regional School District and Student Transportation of America wish to thank the Bradford Fire/Rescue Department and its mutual aid partners for their swift and professional response.

Superintendent Feneberg also wishes to thank neighboring school districts that have reached out to offer transportation support for the coming weeks.”