- Address: 136 and 138 Beech Hill Avenue
- Dispatch: 21:09
- Under Control: 22:26
- Resources: Engines 9, 7, 3, 11, 2, 6, 10, 5, 8 Trucks 7, 1, 6 Car 1 K1, K2, 01, 03, All off-duty members
MANCHESTER, NH – Sixty people were permanently displaced Friday night after a three-alarm fire that gutted an apartment complex at 136/138 Beech Hill Road.
A first alarm was struck at 9:09 p.m. after an alarm activation. Engine 9, Engine 7, Truck 7 and Car 1 were dispatched and while en route, the remainder of the box assignment was dispatched upon notification from a citizen stating the building was on fire.
Photos by Jeffrey Hastings
The first units arriving reported smoke showing from the rear of a large residential apartment complex. A “working fire” was announced and heavy fire was observed coming from a top floor apartment, extending into the roof and attic space.
Hose lines were stretched throughout with crews making an aggressive attack on the fire. While fire suppression efforts were underway, companies searched the buildings for occupants and found none. Due to the size of the buildings and heavy fire conditions a 2nd and 3rd alarm was struck to bring in additional resources, with more than 100 firefighters responding.
Fire personnel did rescue six cats, according to Manchester Fire Chief Ryan Cashin, one of which was transported to veterinarian hospital on Brown Avenue for treatment. All the pets were expected to survive and no occupants or firefighters were injured. Cashin said the buildings are a total loss.
The American Red Cross set up operations at a community building for the housing development and began to assist the occupants and continued bringing in additional resources overnight.
Members of the Red Cross will be at the club house at 2 p.m. on April 18 for more intakes for those affected by the fire, located at 120 Beech Hill Ave.
The Red Cross is providing the residents with comfort items, snacks water, etc.
If you are a victim of the fire you can contact start the process by submitting a request online at https://www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt/get-help.html , or by calling 1-800- RED-CROSS
- Civilian Injuries: None
- Emergency Service Injuries: None
- Special Circumstances: Large 20 unit multiple family building with unprotected attic space allowed for rapid-fire spread. Water supply challenges due to broken hydrant.
- Fire Cause: Undetermined at this time. Remains an active investigation by the Manchester Fire Marshall’s Division
- Estimated Dollar Loss: $200,000
Jeffrey Hastings contributed to this report.