MANCHESTER, NH – Two people were injured during a fire Sunday morning at an apartment building on Chestnut Street.
Manchester Fire Department crews were dispatched Jan. 15 at approximately 11:10 a.m. after an automatic alarm sounded for 480 Chestnut St. Upon arrival crews from Central Station observed smoke coming from several fourth-floor windows on the Chestnut Street side of the building. Four engines, two ladder ladder trucks, 1 rescue truck and three ALS ambulances responded.
Although the automatic alarms were sounding, not all residents evacuated the building. While initial crews were battling the blaze, additional arriving crews were directed to assist those who did not evacuate when the alarm sounded. These residents were escorted to safety by the firefighters.
Two injured residents were evaluated and treated by AMR crews on the scene. Both patients refused transportation to the hospital.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire in apartment 4E, which was unoccupied at the time. The two residents of the apartment arrived on scene shortly after the fire was extinguished. Three cats were rescued by firefighters from the apartment fire and brought to safety, and returned to their owners.
Damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. All damage was confined to apartment 4E. The apartment is not habitable, but the Red Cross has been summoned to assist the two displaced tenants with temporary housing.
District Chief Michael Gamache described the building as a large residential apartment house with more than 50 units. He said the cause of the fire is determined to be accidental due to combustible items stored in close proximity to the stovetop. The building owner is Logico Properties.
