MANCHESTER, NH – An accidental fire at the site of the future Chunky’s Cinema Pub on Huse Road caused about $5,000 in damage Friday.
Just before 11 a.m. on Sept. 9 Manchester Fire Department received several 911 calls reporting a fire at the former Lowe’s building. A crew from Station 3 arrived to find smoke and fire showing from the front/left side of the building. Heavy smoke had already advanced into the structure, according to District Chief Michael Gamache.
Fire was beginning to advance into the structure and had already extended to the roof area. The forward progress of the fire was halted by the initial arriving crew of Station 3. Additional crews from throughout the city arrived and assisted with opening up the roof and extinguishing the remaining fire. Fire crews also assisted in ventilating the smoke-filled building.
The building is currently vacant with the exception of construction workers.
Initial investigation has determined the cause of the fire is accidental, and was likely sparked by a steel cutting operation that ignited nearby combustibles. All workers self-evacuated before our arrival.
