Weekend Fire Leaves 5 Homeless

Five people were left homeless by a fire in Derry on Saturday morning.

The fire was reported at 8:49 a.m. in a 2-family home at 5 Mount Pleasant St. According to fire officials, it started when the landlord attempted to thaw frozen pipes using a propane torch.

Upon arrival, fire crews observed moderate smoke coming from the front of the house, from the rear apartment and from the eaves. The structure was a 100-year-old balloon framed house with an apartment addition on the rear. All occupants were out of the building and reported a fire in the walls in the rear apartment.

Crews quickly knocked down the fire and proceeded to dismantle several exterior and interior walls to extinguish a spreading fire. Crews also ventilated the structure while using air monitoring equipment to ensure that all carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide from the smoke were removed from the structure.

Due to damage to the piping and electrical systems, all utilities, including propane had to be shut off, leaving both units uninhabitable. The fire is being investigated by the Derry Code Enforcement and Derry Fire Prevention Bureau.

The building was occupied by two families consisting of three adults and two dogs in the main house and two adults in the rear apartment. None of the occupants had renter’s insurance or another place to stay.

The American Red Cross responded to assist the occupants. The damage of the fire was limited mostly to the structure itself and the occupants were able to recover the majority of their belongings.

None of the fire personnel were injured. An adult female with a history of respiratory problems developed shortness of breath while awaiting arrival of Red Cross and was treated and transported by Derry Fire Department to Parkland Medical Center in Derry.

Derry Police Department provided traffic control, and the Salvation Army responded to provide scene support. 

The Londonderry, Hampstead, Salem and Chester fire departments provided station coverage, and off-duty Derry Fire personnel were recalled to their stations.