Story by CHRIS JOHNSON Photos by JAY L. HEATH

On August 19, 2002, the Manchester, NH Fire Department was called for smoke coming from the building at the intersections of Willow and Shasta Streets in the South End of the city. Engines 7, 9, and 11, Trucks 7 and 1, Rescue 1, and Car 1 were dispatched.

Engine 7 arrived first-due and found a vacant two story wood frame building, approximately thirty feet by fifty feet with heavy smoke showing.

The officer of Engine 7 reported a working fire. The building has been known to be occupied by vagrants, and has been the scene of several incendiary fires in the past few months.