Crime & Safety
4-Alarm Fire Burns In Nashua Causing 20 People To Be Evacuated
A fire in an auto repair facility forced people from a 16 unit apartment building. Firefighters spotted fire and smoke while en route.
NASHUA, NH — Nashua Fire Rescue responded to several reports of a building fire at the corner of East Otterson Street and Harbor Avenue on Friday.
Deputy Chief Kevin Kerrigan, en route to the call, could see smoke and fire and immediately called for a second alarm. At about 10:15 a.m., crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from the second floor of an auto repair garage — with the fire was spreading quickly.
A building to the right, located at 49 Harbor Avenue, was occupied by several people, and firefighters begin immediate evacuation. The apartment building has 16 units. Kerrigan reported up to 20 people could be in the building.
Find out what's happening in Nashuafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A third alarm was sounded for additional apparatus and manpower.
Chief Brian Rhodes arrived at the scene and requested a 4th-alarm for additional manpower to assist with the fire and evacuations. Firefighters protected the apartment building with streams of water while crews battled the fire in the original fire building.
Find out what's happening in Nashuafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Two ambulances from AMR were at the scene evaluating people who were evacuated and handing out water to the firefighters.
After about 1 hour the fire was deemed under control, and crews worked to overhaul the fire building looking for hot spots.
The two-story brick building had an apartment on the second floor, initial indications are that is the location the fire started. Due to the intensity of the fire, and combustible materials on the first floor crews worked diligently to contain the fire to the second floor.
At this time the fire is under investigation by Nashua Fire Marshals Office. The Nashua Department and Nashua Emergency Management are at the scene to assist in the investigation.
Kerrigan said the intensity of the fire, and the number of utility lines the crews had to work around were challenges. Initially, no injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported, however about 2 hours after the fire AMR Ambulance was called to evaluate a person who had been in the fire building.
Towns and cities from Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts assisted at the scene and with station coverage.
Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news
