Firefighters are at the scene of a 2-alarm fire on Route 1 in Hampton near the Hampton Falls line.
The fire was first reported around 7:20 p.m. at 19 Lafayette Road, according to emergency radio broadcasts. Flames were showing from the second story.
According to its website, 19 Lafayette Road is the address of Super Floorz, a flooring installation company. The town's online assessment database says the property is owned by Nineteen Lafayette Rd LLC and is assessed at $384,200.
Two people in a second story apartment reportedly used a fire escape ladder to get out of the building through a window above the business. They had to use the ladder because the door out of the room they were in was "all engulfed," according to police. They were not injured.
The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
A damage estimate was not immediately available, but there appears to be water damage to the business below the apartment. The room where the fire started is also "completely gutted," according to police.
Both northbound and southbound traffic on Route 1 were delayed due to the emergency vehicles responding to the fire.
In addition to Hampton, firefighters from North Hampton, Seabrook, Rye, Exeter, Kensington, Greenland and Stratham are all at the scene.
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