43-Year-Old Woman Identified As Person Who Died In Nashua Fire

NASHUA, NH — The woman who died in Saturday morning's 2-alarm fire on Cross Street has been identified as Randi Gagnon-Davis, 43.

The NH Medical Examiner’s Office determined she died of smoke inhalation, and the manner of the death was accidental.

Nashua Fire, police, and AMR ambulance were dispatched to a report of a fire in a 2-unit residence at 26 Cross St. Saturday.

On arrival at about 7:30 a.m., a second alarm was requested due to the fire's intensity and the proximity of the adjacent structures.

Off-duty Nashua Fire Lt. Thomas Lanzara was the first to arrive at the fire scene. He came into contact with an injured occupant who had exited the building and advised that someone was trapped inside. AMR medics began to treat the victim.

Firefighters arriving at the scene were advised of the location of the person still in the building. Crews stretched numerous hose lines and made an aggressive interior attack.
Once inside the fire apartment, they found one occupant deceased.

The victim, who was able to exit the building, was transported to a Nashua Hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. Boston MedFlight flew her to a Boston hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Firefighters could protect any extensive damage to adjacent structures and bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said this is the fourth fire-related fatality this week in New Hampshire. A woman died in a fiery crash in Pelham. Two people died in fires Thursday: a man died in Concord and a man in Manchester.

Nashua Fire Rescue battled a fire at 6 Cross St. earlier this month, injuring and displacing several people.

Nashua Fire and Police also responded to and investigated a fatal car crash on Monday on Amherst Street that killed a woman and seriously injured a man.

Mutual Aid for station coverage was provided by fire departments from Merrimack, Manchester, Hudson, Tyngsborough.

The Red Cross and Nashua Emergency Management are working with the occupants to provide services. The extensive smoke and fire damage will prevent people from re-occupying the building until significant repairs are made.

The NH State Fire Marshals Office, Nashua Fire, and police are investigating the fire.

The investigation into the origin & cause of the fire is active and ongoing by members of the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Nashua Fire and Police Departments.

State Fire Marshal Toomey reminds all citizens of the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. In the event of an alarm activation or visible smoke or fire, immediately exit your home and call 9-1-1.

Keep exits clear and accessible and have a home fire escape plan. If you have any questions about fire safety in your home, please contact your local fire department or the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news