At Least One Dead In Claremont, New Hampshire Fire

CLAREMONT, N.H. (AP) -- One person was killed and at least two injured when fire roared through an apartment house just down the street from the fire station early Thursday.

Fire Lt. Andy Chamberlain said neighbors pounded on the fire station door a little after 2 a.m. to alert firefighters.

``You can see the building from the station,'' he said. ``It's probably no more than a 15-second ride.''

But the fire had a good head start, and the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, he said. They kicked in doors and looked in windows searching for residents.

The identity of the victim has not been released.

Two other occupants were flown to the hospital, Chamberlain said. He did not know the extent of their injuries.

It took nearly 2 1/2 hours to bring the flames under control.

The state fire marshal's office was called in to help determine the cause.