Resources: Engines 7,10,11,2,3,6,9,8 Truck 7,1,6 Rescue 1 Squad 1 Paramedic intercept car and ALS 16.
MANCHESTER, NH – At approximately 3:04 p.m. a fire was reported at 741 Somerville St. On arrival crews encountered heavy smoke coming from the front side of the building on floors two and three. When crews surveyed the building they discovered a massive volume of smoke and fire forcefully blowing out the second floor windows onto the porches and engulfing the third-floor porch and roofline.
Battalion Chief Ken Proulx called a second alarm shortly after arrival. Engine 7’s crew stretched a hand line through the front door to the second floor where the fire was believed to have started in the kitchen area. Other companies stretched backup hand lines as well as a line to the porches and quickly knocked the fire down.
All three ladder trucks were able to set up on the building and began extensive exterior over haul to the roof and porches. The building had five units and housed eight adults and four children. No civilians were injured. Crews operating in the building were able to save three cats and a dog, but unfortunately two cats did perish in the fire.
One fire fighter suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. Under control was issued at 15:47. Companies broke down and cleared turning the property over to property management
Special Challenges: Road construction in the area; fire was considerably advanced before MFD was notified.
Fire Cause: Under investigation
Estimated Dollar Loss: $100,000