Apartment Fire In Nashua Deemed To Be A Suicide-Murder Arson Case, State Officials Say

NASHUA, NH — Autopsies have determined that two men who died after a fire at 19 Orange St. in Nashua on July 21 died from smoke inhalation, with one death ruled a suicide and the other a homicide, according to state officials.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted autopsies on Scott Thomas, 66, and Gerald Gutekunst, 80, on the afternoon of July 21, 2026. According to the attorney general’s office, Gutekunst’s cause of death was smoke inhalation and the manner of death was suicide. Thomas’ cause of death was also smoke inhalation, and his manner of death was homicide.

The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is still pending, but investigators said the information available so far supports preliminary conclusions about what happened. According to the announcement, shortly after 3:03 a.m. on July 21, Gutekunst locked his apartment door and ignited a fire inside. He did not try to escape. Investigators also reviewed communication sent by Gutekunst at the time of the fire indicating his intent to commit self-harm. The fire patterns inside the apartment also indicate the fire was set intentionally.

Scott Thomas and his sister. Credit: A family photo submitted to the NH AG’s Office for publication.

The fire, however, spread beyond Gutekunst’s apartment to the rest of the building, causing Thomas to inhale smoke from the fire, which caused his death.

Investigators concluded Gutekunst intentionally committed an act of arson inside his apartment in an act of self-harm, which recklessly caused Thomas’ death. The announcement also states there is no indication at this time that Gutekunst specifically intended to harm Thomas. Because Gutekunst did not survive, criminal charges may not be brought for causing Thomas’ death.

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said the case showed arson is not a victimless crime and intentionally set fires can endanger the public and first responders.

Intentionally set fires cause more than 400 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.3 billion in direct property damage each year.

Officials said people in crisis can call, text, or chat with trained crisis counselors through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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