Story by CHRIS JOHNSON
Story by ANDY BIRON
Leather Helmet Society

On September 19, 2002 Manchester, NH police officer Matt Larochelle was working a traffic detail near the intersection of Calef Road and Mitchell Street, in the city's South End.

Just after 0900 hours he noticed smoke issuing from a dwelling at 413 Calef Road, and immediately alerted the Manchester Fire Department. At 0911 hours Box 49 was struck, sending a First Alarm assignment of Engines Nine, Seven, and Two, Trucks Seven and Two, Rescue One, and Car One.

Officer Larochelle then entered the building, in an attempt to ensure all residents had escaped. As he called out from the first floor, he heard someone shouting for help from the lower lever.

He was able to make his way downstairs, where he encountered heavy smoke conditions. Officer Larochelle located an elderly woman standing in the basement.

He reported that she appeared disoriented, and he had to physically assist her in exiting the building, prior to the Fire Department's arrival. She was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation.

Engine Nine arrived at 0913 hours, and found a forty foot by sixty foot two and one-half tory occupied two family dwelling with a working fire in progress.

An aggressive interior attack was initiated as companies attempted to locate the seat of the fire. Truck Seven set up on Side Four to vent the roof, and Truck Two took Side One.

A search of the building proved negative The Second Alarm was transmitted at 0929 hours, bringing Engines Eleven, and One, Truck One, and an additional ALS unit to the scene. Companies continued to battle the blaze, but were hampered by difficult balloon frame building construction features, including several false ceilings and numerous void spaces.

The Third Alarm was transmitted at 1007 hours, bringing Engines Six and Three, Truck Five, and Air One to the scene, along with the Third Alarm personnel call back.

The main body of fire was reported to be knocked down at approximately 1115 hours. The Under Control was put in at approximately 1155 hours.

At 1155 hours Engine Ten was special called as the fire detail company, to assist the Fire Prevention Bureau with their investigation.

Two families were left homeless, and Officer Larochelle is credited with saving the life of the elderly occupant. Manchester Mayor Robert Baines responded to the scene to personally thank Officer Larochelle for his heroic actions