MANCHESTER, NH – No injuries reported following an early-morning fire on Amherst Street Monday.
Manchester Fire, AMR and police responded on Jan. 5 to a reported fire at 305/307 Amherst Street at 6:52 a.m. Engine 11 was first to arrive and reported smoke coming from the dormers of the third floor of a multi-family dwelling, and a working fire assignment was requested.
Companies quickly controlled and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading beyond the room of origin. All areas of the building were searched. Nine families were displaced by the fire, all of whom were able to exit without injuries. The building sustained smoke and water damage, with heavy damage to the third floor apartment.
Occupants of the building were brought to the Department of Employment Security on Hanover Street to stay warm and be evaluated by AMR personnel.
The building had nine units and housed about 18 people, and several people also had pets that evacuated with them.
At this time the Red Cross is working with the families and providing services at their Reservoir Ave facility. Some units may be able to be reoccupied after utilities are turned back on, and some repairs are made to the structure.
Estimated damage: $75,000
The fire is not considered suspicious, started on the third floor and is possibly electrical as the source and origin. The Manchester Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation.
Jeffrey Hastings contributed to this report.