Electrical Fire Will Close NHAAGS for 'Extended Period'

A space heater and other appliances plugged into the same outlet using three different extension cords caused the fire Tuesday morning that gutted a second-floor apartment connected to the New Hampshire Academy of Artistic Gymnastics.

North Hampton Fire Chief Dennis Cote said the fire has been ruled an accident, although he said the appliances were improperly connected by two residents that had been staying in an unheated space in the second story of the barn connected to NHAAGS.

"You can’t use three extension cords and plug appliances into them and expect them work properly," said Cote.

No one was injured during the fire, which started just before 5 a.m. Tuesday. 

No structural damage was caused to the barn, and Cote said only water and light smoke damage was caused to the entryway to NHAAGS gym. The rest of the gym was unharmed, although Cote said the gym will be closed "for an extended period of time" due to issues that surfaced after the fire.

"They have some widespread electrical issues throughout the building now, so until they get those squared away the gym will remain closed," he said.

The American Red Cross' assistance wasn't needed Tuesday because the residents will stay in a home also on the 67 Winnicut Road property, according to Cote. 

When reached by Patch Tuesday morning, NHAAGS officials said the damage wasn't severe.

"We are fine," wrote NHAAGS in message. "All is good here. Just a little cleanup."

Temperatures in the low single digits caused the water that was used to fight the fire to freeze, although Cote said there were no complications or injuries during the investigation because of that interior and exterior ice. 

Cote said the fire "could've been a lot worse" and he commended the responding crews for their "great job" to quickly combat the flames. He said passers-by would "never know" a fire occurred on the property, as the only visible exterior sign of damage Tuesday was one boarded-up window on the back side of the barn.