Laconia Firefighter Steven Hamsum points to damage caused by a two-alarm fire that started in the attic at 114 Lake Shore Estates on Blueberry Lane late Tuesday night. A heat detector and quick response from the Fire Department helped minimize the damage to the apartment building. (Citizen Photo/Daryl Carlson)

Quick work of city fire

Staff Writer

LACONIA — Thanks to the quick reaction time of the Fire Department, a two-alarm fire at an apartment building on Blueberry Lane was contained with relatively minimal damage, allowing all but three of the 30 tenants in the building to be home for Christmas.

The electrical fire started on the third-floor of a three-story building at Lakeshore Estates apartment complex.

The Fire Department estimated damage at $75,000. No injuries were reported.

The fire quickly spread into the attic, where it traveled the length of the three-story building along a central beam, fire officials say.

The fire was detected by an automatic alarm system inside the building. Because of the number of residents inside, the fire quickly went to a second alarm. Also assisting in the speedy response was the building’s proximity to the fire station.

Laconia Fire Capt. Bob Landry was first on the scene.

At the time of the fire, the building was fully occupied, according to Fire Chief Ken Erickson.

"Many inside the building were completely unaware the building was on fire until firefighters came to their door telling them to evacuate," said Erickson. "Rescuers had to go door to door."

Senior citizens occupy several of the apartments, many of whom had already gone to bed for the evening and did not answer their doors. Firefighters had to break doors down to inform some residents of the fire.

Helping to down the blaze was walk-in access to the attic, which allowed firefighters to attack the flames head on and quickly end the threat to the structure. As a result, the third-floor ceilings did not need to be torn open to get at the fire.

Gilford, Franklin, Meredith, Inter-Lakes and Winnisquam fire personnel all responded.

"I was told the building worked exactly as it was supposed to. The walk-in attic allowed the firefighters to get it, the fire walls held, and because of that things didn’t get as bad as they could have," said Lakeshore Estates Site Manager Sue Peaslee.

The building manager commended the Laconia Fire Department’s "knowledge, expedience and expertise" in handling the situation.

"I am in awe that they were able to do what they did without tearing about my building. I have nothing but praise for the entire staff, from the chief to the firefighters. They were so co-operative, and their attitude was wonderful."

"There are a lot of lucky people in this building," said tenant Bob Berube, who lives across the hall from one of the more heavily damaged apartments with his family and was able to return home because of the fire departments’ quick reaction time.

Berube was one of the first to evacuate, and spent the fire across the street with friends. Berube also had kind words for the firefighters.

"They had someone walking the halls all last night to make sure nothing started back up," he said. "The firefighters, the managers, everyone was just great."

While many of the units were spared from the fire, three remain temporarily unoccupied. All three were occupied by senior women, two of whom were spending the holidays with family while their apartments are repaired. A third resident is staying in a local hotel. None of the women wished their names to be publicized.

Peaslee said crews are already working to repair the damage to the units and will be livable again soon.

"There is damage, but it is insignificant," said Peaslee. Fire officials estimate the cost of repairs to be $75,000.