2 Seriously Injured In Manchester 3-Alarm Fire, Several People Displaced, Dogs Also Missing

MANCHESTER, NH — Firefighters arrived at the scene Friday on Sullivan Street in Manchester and had heavy fire and reports of occupants jumping from the upper floors of the three-story multi-unit building.

The fire quickly went to three alarms, bringing every piece of Manchester's apparatus to the scene, and multiple cities and towns for station coverage. AMR transported two patients to CMC hospital, and both were transported to Boston with what was described as serious and life-threatening injuries.

The two victims remain in Boston hospitals with serious injuries. One person is in critical condition and another is in stable condition; both were injured when they jumped from the burning building that was quickly engulfed in flames.

One firefighter and three police officers were also treated for minor injuries at area hospitals as a result of their efforts during the original fire event.

Fire investigators worked throughout the day Saturday investigating the incident and assisting residents in retrieving anything that could be salvaged from the apartments.

Video from the scene:

The building had heavy fire damage on the second and third floors, and the first floor had extreme water damage. The building will be demolished in the next few days due to the instability of the structure, and it is beyond repair.

Two dogs that went missing the night of the fire still have not been found.

According to the Manchester Fire Department, firefighters from Merrimack, Bedford, Hooksett, Goffstown, Londonderry, Derry, Auburn, Litchfield, Allenstown, Hudson, Salem, Concord, and Nashua were requested to assist at the scene and with mutual aid. AMR routed additional EMS units for ALS coverage during the incident.

Fire Investigators assigned to the Fire Marshal Division of the Manchester Fire Department determined the fire was caused by improper disposal of smoking materials on the second-floor porch located in the rear of the building. Manchester Fire Department investigators were assisted by an investigator from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Several animals were evacuated from the building by their owners; however, some pets were unable to be removed and did not survive the incident.

Two dogs that are missing are featured in a flyer from Granite State Dog Recovery.

A retaining wall that supported the area around the fire building collapsed during Friday night’s fire and has blocked the alley to the left of the building. The structural integrity of the yard remains unstable, and extensive work will need to be completed to determine the solution.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news