Officials: Heat, squatters, and drug paraphernalia add challenge to Central Street fire
There were no injuries reported. However, the heat and humidity required frequent rotation of personnel. A second alarm was called to bring in mutual aid to assist Manchester firefighters.
MANCHESTER, NH – A vacant home on Central Street was damaged in a fire Thursday morning.
Crews encountered a fire on the top floor of a 2-½ story residence at 416 Central St. They were dispatched to the blaze at 10:07 a.m., arriving within two minutes of the call. Fire had extended into multiple concealed spaces, requiring extensive overhaul. The building had been vacant for an extensive period of time and was inhabited by squatters, according to District Fire Chief James Michael.
There were no injuries reported. However, the heat and humidity required frequent rotation of personnel, said Michael. A second alarm was called to bring in mutual aid to assist Manchester firefighters.
Michael reports that the apartment was also strewn with drug paraphernalia, which required extreme caution during clean-up to protect fire personnel.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation
