Three firefighters suffered injuries after a gas explosion sparked a four-alarm fire at a mental health center in Nashua, New Hampshire.The explosion happened Monday afternoon at Greater Nashua Mental Health, located at 440 Amherst St. The building is near the old Building 19 property, the Merrimack Fire Department confirmed.The Nashua Office of Emergency Management has advised residents in the area of the explosion to shelter in place, according to WMTW sister station WCVB.Nashua Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said were approximately 40 people inside the building at the time of the fire.Four people were previously unaccounted for during the earlier stages of the fire, but Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton said officials have since been able to get in contact with those people.Three firefighters were taken to the hospital. Their injuries are considered non-life-threatening.A woman in the area said she heard the explosions.”I was getting out of my car and I heard two loud booms,” she said. “I was looking out the window and I heard and felt the explosions.”Officials are asking residents to avoid the area as crews battle the flames.An emergency alert was sent to the phones of those in the area of the fire, warning them to put out any burners or other flames and be prepared to evacuate. Some firefighters were trapped in the building for a short time after a smaller explosion but were able to escape, according to WMTW sister station WMUR. The building was compromised shortly after, and all firefighters were ordered out.Firefighting efforts to put out the blaze will continue.With temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s on Monday, the cold has slowed down operations.Video from WCVB’s helicopter showed large plumes of gray and black smoke coming from the building as well as fire that engulfed a large portion of the structure.The roof of the building looked to be completely collapsed into the building, with much of the exterior charred from the fire.New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte released a statement in response to the incident:”I have been briefed on the tragic explosion that occurred in Nashua this afternoon by the Department of Safety and local emergency response personnel,” Ayotte said. “Joe and I are praying for those injured and unaccounted for, and we are thankful for the heroic efforts by the Nashua Fire Department and first responders on the scene.”The building is down the road from the Somerset Shopping Center.
NASHUA, N.H. —
Three firefighters suffered injuries after a gas explosion sparked a four-alarm fire at a mental health center in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The explosion happened Monday afternoon at Greater Nashua Mental Health, located at 440 Amherst St. The building is near the old Building 19 property, the Merrimack Fire Department confirmed.
The Nashua Office of Emergency Management has advised residents in the area of the explosion to shelter in place, according to WMTW sister station WCVB.
Nashua Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said were approximately 40 people inside the building at the time of the fire.
Four people were previously unaccounted for during the earlier stages of the fire, but Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton said officials have since been able to get in contact with those people.
Three firefighters were taken to the hospital. Their injuries are considered non-life-threatening.
A woman in the area said she heard the explosions.
“I was getting out of my car and I heard two loud booms,” she said. “I was looking out the window and I heard and felt the explosions.”
Officials are asking residents to avoid the area as crews battle the flames.
An emergency alert was sent to the phones of those in the area of the fire, warning them to put out any burners or other flames and be prepared to evacuate.
Some firefighters were trapped in the building for a short time after a smaller explosion but were able to escape, according to WMTW sister station WMUR. The building was compromised shortly after, and all firefighters were ordered out.
Firefighting efforts to put out the blaze will continue.
With temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s on Monday, the cold has slowed down operations.
Video from WCVB’s helicopter showed large plumes of gray and black smoke coming from the building as well as fire that engulfed a large portion of the structure.
The roof of the building looked to be completely collapsed into the building, with much of the exterior charred from the fire.
New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte released a statement in response to the incident:
“I have been briefed on the tragic explosion that occurred in Nashua this afternoon by the Department of Safety and local emergency response personnel,” Ayotte said. “Joe and I are praying for those injured and unaccounted for, and we are thankful for the heroic efforts by the Nashua Fire Department and first responders on the scene.”
The building is down the road from the Somerset Shopping Center.