Fire Department preliminary report on Wilson Street Fire

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State Fire Marshal Bill Degnan addresses questions following the Wilson Street fire.
State Fire Marshal Bill Degnan addresses questions following the Wilson Street fire.

MANCHESTER, NH — Below is the full preliminary report issued by Manchester Fire Department regarding the June 6 fatal fire on Wilson Street.


Address: 198 Wilson St

Time0509 Under Control:0731 All Out: 1024

Number/Type Apparatus: All available Manchester apparatus responded to the scene as well as all off duty Manchester firefighters were summoned to the scene. Fire crews from surrounding towns covered the Manchester stations. Derry and Nashua firefighters assisted at the scene.

Number of Alarms: 4

Incident Summary: Upon arrival by the crew from station 7 on Sommerville Street three minutes after receiving the call, crews discovered the west side of this tenement fully involved on the second and third floors. Advancing crews were met with heavy black smoke throughout and the fire was advancing throughout the structure. Arriving crews immediately advanced to the interior apartments to attempt to rescue any trapped occupants. Two occupants were immediately removed from the second floor and brought to the outside where lifesaving efforts began with the assistance of AMR personnel. At this time the fire began to overtake the rescue crews who were ordered to retreat to the exterior by the incident commander. Several moments later the crews re-advanced under the protection of hose lines and entered into the apartments to search for victims. Two additional victims were found and removed to the exterior. All four fire victims succumbed from their injuries, two at the scene and two at the hospital. Two firefighters were injured during this operation, one minor and one with a moderate injury sustained during the rescue operation.

Early broadcast log from Broadcastify.
Early broadcast log from Broadcastify.

Any Special Features: A possible delay in notification gave the fire a significant prior to the fire department’s arrival.

Extent of Damages: approx. $750,000

Civilians Injured: 4 deceased

Firefighters Injured: 2

Building Owner: Rafael Lora

RemarksMany of the occupants of this eight-unit building self-evacuated before our arrival. Firefighters were able to search the entire occupancy and assisted in evacuating several occupants. The occupants of the large 9-unit apartment building just to the north of this building (210 Wilson St.) were evacuated during the early stages of the fire as this fire was threatening this building also. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the building of origin.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation the Manchester Fire Marshall’s office, the State of NH Fire Marshall’s office in addition to the bureau of ATF.

Building owner is Rafael Lora

Report submitted by District Chief: Mike Gamache


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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!