Thursday June 8th at 1850 hours, the Amherst Fire Department was toned out for a structure fire at 131 Route 101A.
The first arriving Deputy Chief quickly called for a second and third alarm, bringing in extra crews and apparatus from approximately 10 towns. Amhersts Tower was OTS at the time so neighboring Merrimack was called in on the first alarm. Due to the construction, the fire was very fast moving but was cut off quickly by venting and attack crews. The fire eventually went to 4 alarms.
Three 4 inch and one 5 inch supply lines were laid in to support the aerials and monitors that had been set up. Initially the scene was set up as a defensive attack, once the second floor and attic was found to be tenable crews made entry to the second floor on the D side advancing two-and-a-half-inch and one-and-three-quarter inch lines, stopping the fires progression.
The fire was called under control and crews remained on scene for several hours overhauling. A few businesses suffered a complete loss and a few others were put out by smoke and water damage. Some businesses untouched by the fire had no utilities and were unable to return. The fire is still under investigation by local and state investigators.
