Story by CHRIS JOHNSON Photos by JAY L. HEATH

At 1612 hours on November 2, 2002 the Manchester, NH Fire Department received Master Box 3215 for a fire alarm activation at the Hampshire Plaza, located at 1000 Elm Street, downtown. Engines 11,1, and 6, Trucks 1 and 5, Rescue 1 and Car 1 responded on the first alarm. No telephone reports of a fire were received by the Fire Alarm Office. Engine 11 and Truck 1 arrived first due to find heavy fire visible inside the plate glass windows on the 1-4 Corner, Floor #1 of a 20 story high rise building. This space was occupied by Citizens Bank's mailroom.

Car 1 (District Chief James Burkush) arrived with the rest of the first alarm assignment and established command. He immediately struck the Second Alarm, which was transmitted at 1616 hours. The Second Alarm assignment brought Engines 10 and 2, Truck 3, and ALS 3 to the scene.

Engine 11 pulled two 1-3/4" handlines in the front doors and stretched into the fire area. Meanwhile, members of Truck 1 (Truck 6 acting) vented six twenty foot tall plate glass windows on Sides 1 and 4 of the building. This was accomplished initially from the sidewalk, then from the platform of Truck 1's tower ladder. Engine 1 took a hydrant at the intersection of Elm and Concord Streets, on Side 1 of the building, and hand-jacked a feeder line to Engine 11's pump. A backup line was also pulled from Engine 1.

As companies went to work, reports were being received of approximately 26 occupants who were unaccounted for. This included six employees of a 18th floor attorney's office and several building maintenance and security personnel who were also believed to be on the upper floors. It was quickly determined that smoke was traveling to the upper floors via the south stair tower and elevator shafts. Rescue Co. 1 went to Floor #2 and began a primary search for occupants and fire extension. They continued their search through Floor #5, locating the six missing people from the attorney's office in the South stairwell, and assisted in their evacuation from the building.

Although companies were making good progress knocking down the fire, Chief Burkush struck the Third Alarm at 1619 hours, as twenty people were still reported missing. As companies searched the upper floors they reported smoke conditions on several upper floors, and to the roof in the South stairwell. The Third Alarm companies, consisting of Engines 7 and 9, Truck 7, Air 1, and Car 2 (District Chief Tom Clayton). ALS 5 was also special called at 1619 hours to establish an EMS Sector, as victims were anticipated.

The fire was quickly knocked down with no extension above Floor #1. Extensive overhaul and smoke removal operations ensued. Third Alarm companies continued the search of the building, giving an all clear on each of the 20 floors. All occupants were accounted for, and no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. The Under Control was put in at 1707 hours, nearly an hour after the master box was received. The Fire Prevention Bureau conducted an investigation, and determined the fire was caused by misuse of an electrical cord. Incidentally, the high rise is only sprinkled in the first floor common areas.