On August 22, 2020 at 8:48 am Nashua Fire Rescue was dispatched to the listed 112 Amherst St for a report of smoke in the building. Engines 1, 4, 3 (RIT/Fire Fighter Safety), Ladder 1, & Deputy Chief Karl P. Gerhard responded initially. Companies arrived to locate smoke in the second floor apartments over a first floor restaurant. The location is a 2 story ordinary construction (masonry exterior with wooden frame interior), 10,500 square feet of interior finish space, triangular in shaped building. Engine 1 further investigated and located fire in the ceiling of apartment 7. A “working fire” assignment was requested and an additional engine and ladder company (Engine 5 and Ladder 2) were dispatched to augment resources on the scene.

Companies worked to locate and fully extinguish the fire which was contained to the ceiling and roof area above apartments six and seven. All searches negative (determined no occupants were in the building). The incident was placed under control in 22 minutes. Companies performed salvage operations on floor one to attempt to limit water damage.

No first responders or occupants were injured during the incident. Three occupants were known to be displaced and the Red Cross had been requested to assist them.

Nashua Fire Rescue was assisted at the scene by Nashua Police. AMR ambulance stood by as a precaution. Nashua Building Safety and Health Departments both assisted at the scene.

Special Hazards Encountered: Older, irregularly shaped building which had been renovated most likely several times. These types of occupancies can result in rapid/irregular fire development.

The fire was contained to area of origin limiting damage to two living units on floor two and water damage to floor one.

The cause is under investigation by the City of Nashua Fire Marshal’s office.

Deputy Chief Karl P. Gerhard reminds people to never re-enter a building with smoke and/or fire in it. Upon noting fire or smoke in a building, imme