MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Fire crews were dispatched to 260 Pearl St., Unit 2, Friday morning for a fire on the second floor of a three-family unit. Upon arrival Engine 11 reported fire and heavy smoke conditions on the second floor.
First-responders arrived at about 8;30 a.m. and found a 47-year-old resident on the sidewalk suffering from smoke inhalation and facial burns.
District Chief Al Poulin said there was heavy smoke damage throughout Unit 2, rendering it uninhabitable.
Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the fire was contained to the living room in the area of a gas-fire heater, Poulin said. The victim tried to extinguish the fire himself before exiting the building. There was heavy smoke damage throughout the apartment.
“The entire apartment was full of blackened material and soot from the combustibles,” Poulin said. “It definitely could have been much worse, but Engine 11 got there quickly and was able to run a line up to the second floor and knock it down before it spread.”
Residents of first and third floors were allowed to return to their apartments, once the electricity was turned back on, Poulin said.
Damage is estimated at about $50,000, Poulin said. The fire remains under investigation.
