Portsmouth Fire Requests State Street Saloon Fire Photos, Videos

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The Portsmouth Fire Department is asking for the public's help investigating a massive fire on State Street earlier this week, according to a press release. Chief Steven E. Achilles of the Portsmouth Fire Department announced on Thursday that the department completed its on scene fire and investigation operations at 266-278 State St. on April 12, 2017. The properties, he noted, were turned over to Peter Floros, owner of the involved buildings at 3:23 p.m.

The fire investigation is ongoing and the lead agency is the Portsmouth Fire Department. Assisting agencies are the Portsmouth Police Department and the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office.

However, in order to aid in the investigation, the department is seeking any video or photographs of the fire. An email has been set up to receive these files: statestsaloonfire@gmail.com.

Achilles noted that 41 communities, including Portsmouth, responded to the scene or covered Portsmouth stations. Three buildings were involved in the fire (266, 270, and 278 State St.); two collapsed (266 and 270 State St.), and one exposure building on Pleasant Street sustained water damage, he noted.

A GoFundMe.com effort to help the employees of the State Street Saloon as well as tenants in the building has raised more than $21,000.