Two Adults, Two Boys Killed in NH Apartment Building Fire

MANCHESTER, N.H. - A devastating dawn blaze took the lives of two adults and two children and made 30 people homeless, city fire officials said this morning as neighbors reeled with grief.

"They were awesome kids," said a heartbroken Josh Wintle, who runs the Manchester ROCA Kidz Club, which the children attended. "Those boys were always together, they were always happy. They loved playing basketball and games. It's a very tragic thing. ... We know the boys are in a better place now, that's for sure."

The Herald is withholding the names of the victims, which have not been released by authorities.

The fire broke out shortly after 5 a.m., Manchester Fire Department Chief Daniel Goonan said.

"Upon arrival, fire companies found heavy fire and began striking multiple alarms," he said earlier this morning.

Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene at 197 Wilson St. and two others died at Elliot Hospital, Goonan said.

One firefighter was treated for a non-life threatening injury, the chief said.

"This is a terrible tragedy," said New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, speaking at the site of the blaze. "I am grateful to all of the firefighters who, as they always do, risk their lives to try to save people in the structure. The investigation continues and my prayers and thoughts go out to the families of the deceased. As always, this is a really important reminder about how fragile life is, how important fire safety is, and I'm very very grateful again to all of our first responders."

Those who knew the vibrant children -- filled with energy and gifted with generous hearts -- stared in disbelief at the tragic scene this morning.

"They were always happy boys, they loved each other, and they can always be seen in the neighborhood with another little kid they had just met," said Lisa Duda, a volunteer with the ROCA Kidz Club who adored the children.

"You always knew when they were coming, because they would yell to me, 'Miss Lisa' from down the street. They always showed up, and they wanted to help," she recalled amid tears. "It was, 'Miss Lisa, can I do the trash? Miss Lisa, can I vacuum?' They also loved the little kids, they were always guiding them to face painting room, or helping them pick out what they wanted to do. ... They loved taking on that big brother role. If they could do that every single week, they would."

The boys came on Tuesday nights for "homework club," and every Thursday - including last Thursday, Wintle and Duda said. They had attended for years.

"They were loud, and they just loved being with us," Duda said, as she began to weep. "We are crushed as an organization, because they were like family. It's hard, even as an adult, to deal with something like this. Our goal now is to try to keep it together, so we can help the kids try to deal with it."

Goonan said the Manchester Fire Department and the New Hampshire Fire Marshal's Office are conducting a joint investigation to determine the origin and cause of the deadly blaze.

The three-story, 126-year-old mixed-use property was purchased last fall by OVB Realty, according to city records, and is valued at nearly $605,000.

Wintle said the organization will celebrate the lives of the two children when the Kidz Club marks its fifth anniversary this Thursday.

The children "were great kids," he said. "We invested a lot in them because they were worth it. We just pray something positive comes out of it."

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