By BEA LEWIS
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — Authorities don’t yet know what caused an early morning fire on
Sunday that destroyed a local gas station and automotive repair shop.
The two-alarm fire tore through Buskey’s Auto at 89 Main St., threatening an
abutting apartment building.
The occupants of the six apartments were evacuated for about four hours, as
men and equipment from 12 area departments helped battled the intense blaze that
sent heavy black smoke billowing skyward. No injuries were reported.
Fire Chief Norman "Scott" Weden said items typically kept in garage helped
fuel the fire including tires, lubricants and a variety of petroleum-based
products.
As part of the defensive attack, Weden said, firefighters had four master
streams directed at the fire and believes they collectively used between 80,000
to 100,000 gallons of water pumped from the 12-inch water main that serves the
town’s hydrant system. Weden said the fire marks the first time the newly
enlarged water main has been put to the test.
"I guess we have to put our trust in God," said Rebecca Buskey, who owns the
business with her husband, Peter as she watched orange flames leap from the
building’s roof.
"I just hope nobody gets hurt," she said, as she was comforted by her
daughter and husband.
The couple, who live in Rumney, purchased the building from Foley Oil last
July, and have been busy making repairs and improvements.
Mrs. Buskey said buying the building was the first step in their dream to run
a family business. Her husband, she said, has been repairing cars from their
home for the past 31 years, and was happy to have a vehicle lift after working
on his back in the driveway for years.
A passing motorist reported the fire to Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Dispatch
in Laconia at 5:53 a.m. Firefighters were called out at 5:55 a.m. and requested
a second alarm at 6:02 a.m.
Factors in the decision to call for a second alarm, Weden said, included the
threat to the neighboring apartment building and the fact that the burning
building was a service station that also sold gasoline, diesel fuel and
kerosene.
Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Services were
called to the scene. Weden said firefighters used absorbent pads and a network
of barrier booms to contain oily run-off from the building. None of the garage’s
underground gasoline tanks were breached during the fire, nor was an above
ground kerosene tank damaged. An environmental cleanup company will be retained
by the property owner to pump the remaining fuels from the tanks and properly
dispose of it, Weden said.
Pete Paulson, an investigator with the state Fire Marshal’s Office, helped
local firefighters poke through the still smoldering rubble late Sunday
afternoon looking for the cause. Weden said the source was still being
investigated Sunday night.
Men and equipment from Plymouth, Holderness, Center Harbor, New Hampton,
Campton-Thornton, Waterville Valley, Bristol, Meredith, Rumney, Hebron and
Sanbornton assisted at the scene. Bridgewater provided coverage for the Ashland
station.
The fire was declared under control about 7:47 a.m. Crews, which had arrived
at the scene when temperatures were 8 below zero, remained on the scene until
2:30 p.m.
Weden declared the one-story wood frame building a total loss. The owners are
insured.
After battling the early morning blaze, firefighters were also called to a
propane leak and then to a motor vehicle accident.
"The mutual aid system is the saving grace," said a grateful Weden.
