Concord Firefighters Tackle South State Street Building Fire

CONCORD, NH — Concord Fire and Rescue teams were sent to South State Street at Downing Street this morning for a fire at around 6:20 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2016. The fire in the multi-unit building quickly went to two alarms as firefighters reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the second floor.

"A woman who occupies a second floor apartment had jumped from her window to escape the flames and was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries," according to Chief Dan Andrus of the Concord Fire Department. "A second alarm was struck immediately and crews quickly stretched hose lines and searched the involved areas for additional victims. The fire was quickly knocked down, but crews remained on scene checking for fire extension through walls and ceilings."

Concord’s on duty forces were assisted by units from Allenstown, Boscawen, Bow, Chichester, Hooksett, Hopkinton, and Pembroke.

By 6:45 a.m., the bulk of the fire was knocked down, according to NorthEast Fire Alerts.

Fire investigators were also on the scene, interviewing occupants and examining the building to determine the cause of the fire, Andrus noted.

Andrus stated that two pet cats died in the fire but a pet lizard survived without apparent injury according to a follow-up email this afternoon. One resident of the apartment building remains hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries received when she jumped from a second floor bathroom window.

"Fire officials will continue the investigation tomorrow," Andrus stated.

The American Red Cross noted in a press statement that five adults were displaced and the org's Disaster Action Team volunteers have met with the residents and have ensured everyone has a safe place to sleep and has food, clothing and other essentials.

"Over the next several days, Red Cross client casework volunteers will stay in contact with the family and provide referrals, as they begin their road to recovery," Dan Brown said in a statement.

Visit redcross.org/NHVT, call 1-800-464-6692, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The building is the former location of S&W Sports, which used to be located on the ground floor. During the 1980s, there were numerous apartments above the storefront.

Professional Firefighters of Concord, NH - Local 1045 have more photos on their Facebook site.

Concord NH Patch will update this post when more information becomes available.

Credit: Video and pictures courtesy of NewsCam603.