A neighboring restaurant had to be evacuated, and crews were dispatched to put out roof fires sparked by flaming embers.
GOFFSTOWN, NH – A three-alarm fire that destroyed a vacant building in Goffstown and brought in mutual aid from nine surrounding towns, including 60 firefighters, appears to be suspicious, says Goffstown Fire Chief Richard O’Brien.
O’Brien said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but that unless additional information becomes immediately available, it will be classified as “suspicious.”
First responders were Goffstown Fire Department, dispatched to 711 Mast Road for a reported structure fire Feb 21 at about 1:36 p.m.
The first fire engine arrived on scene within one minute of the dispatch. Fire crews notice thick, black smoke pushing from all areas of the building with fire breaking through the roof at the rear of the building. The Fire Chief announced the 2nd alarm for this fire to bring in outside (mutual aid) fire departments to assist with the fire.
The fire rapidly grew to engulf the entire building – the building size was greater than 23,000 square feet in size. Within feet of the building was a large restaurant, North Garden Chinese at 715 Mast Road, where there were obvious signs that this structure may also catch fire. Fire crews immediately assisted with the evacuation of the restaurant.
The 3rd alarm was announced within 10 minutes of the original call. Fire crews coordinated efforts to protect the nearby buildings and to extinguish the massive flames coming from the building. During the incident, there were reports of flaming embers falling on building and homes in the adjacent neighborhood. Additional fire crews were dispatched to extinguish roof fires and check smoke conditions in homes.
“Fire crews did a tremendous job keeping the fire from spreading to other buildings and homes in the area,” said Goffstown Fire Chief Richard O’Brien.
The fire was deemed under control at about 4 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Assisting Goffstown Fire Department were crews from: Manchester, Bedford, New Boston, Weare, Dunbarton, and Merrimack, as well as personnel from Goffstown Police and Goffstown Public Works Dept., Goffstown CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team), and Manchester Water Department. Londonderry, Amherst, and Bow fire departments provided coverage of Goffstown Fire Stations during the fire.
According to the Fire Chief, at the time of the fire, the building was vacant and unoccupied. It is owned by O’Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC. Damage was estimated at $530,000.
Red Cross was called to provide rehabilitation (REHAB) services for responders on scene with water and refreshments.Eversource Utilities units were on scene to assist with FD operations. Goffstown CERT assisted the Police Department with traffic control.
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